Can I shower with an IP68 smartphone?

No, you should never bring an IP68 phone into a hot shower. IP ratings test cold, still freshwater in laboratory conditions. Hot shower steam penetrates micro-seals, and heat softens the waterproof adhesive gaskets, leading to liquid damage that is not covered under warranty.

What does the "X" in IPX4 or IPX8 mean?

The letter "X" simply means the product has not been officially tested for solid dust ingress protection. It does not mean it has zero dust resistance, only that the manufacturer only paid for liquid testing.

What is the difference between IP68 and 5 ATM water resistance?

IP68 is designed for static submersion in freshwater up to 1.5–6 meters. 5 ATM (50 meters equivalent static pressure) is a watch industry standard that can withstand dynamic pressures from arm strokes while swimming in a pool.

Ingress Protection & Waterproof Standard

IP Ratings & Water Resistance Meaning

Wondering what IP68, IP67, IPX4, or 5 ATM means on your phone, smartwatch, or earbuds? Decode dust, splash, shower, and swimming limits.

How the 2 Digits of an IP Code Work (e.g., IP 6 8)

1st Digit: Solids & Dust (Scale 0 to 6)

Measures protection against physical fingers, tools, wires, and microscopic dust particles. Level 6 is maximum ("Dust-tight").

2nd Digit: Liquids & Water (Scale 0 to 9)

Measures protection against moisture. Level 4 resists rain/sweat splashes, level 7 resists 1-meter immersion, and level 8 resists continuous deep submersion.

Device Type:

Showing 8 water/dust protection ratings

IP68

Top-Tier Dust-Tight & Continuous Water Submersion

Smartphones & Watches

Shower: NOT Safe (Steam)

Swimming: Yes (Pool)

The flagship smartphone standard used by Apple iPhone (up to 6m) and Samsung Galaxy S series (up to 1.5m). Highly resistant to rain, toilet drops, and accidental puddles.

Dust Protection: Level 6: Complete protection against harmful dust ingress (Dust-tight).

Water Protection: Level 8: Continuous immersion in fresh water under conditions specified by manufacturer (typically up to 1.5 to 6 meters for 30 minutes).

Max Depth Limit: Up to 1.5m – 6m for 30 minutes (freshwater only)

Found on:iPhone 15/16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google Pixel 9 Pro.

NEVER take an IP68 phone into hot showers, saunas, or ocean saltwater! Heat expands waterproof adhesive gaskets, and salt crystals corrode charging ports.

IEC Standard 60529Certified Test

IP67

Dust-Tight & Temporary Water Immersion

Smartphones & Watches

Shower: NOT Safe (Steam)

Swimming: No Submersion

Standard for mid-range smartphones, rugged Bluetooth speakers, and action cameras. Easily survives spills, drops in bath water, and heavy rainstorms.

Dust Protection: Level 6: Complete dust-tight barrier.

Water Protection: Level 7: Protected against immersion up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) for up to 30 minutes in still freshwater.

Max Depth Limit: Up to 1 meter for 30 minutes

Found on:Samsung Galaxy A54/A55, JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker, Fitbit trackers.

IEC Standard 60529Certified Test

IPX4

Splash-Proof & Sweat-Resistant (Audio Standard)

Earbuds & Audio

Shower: NOT Safe (Steam)

Swimming: No Submersion

The universal baseline rating for workout headphones and workout earbuds. Handles intense cardio gym sweat and sudden light rain showers.

Dust Protection: Level X: Not tested for dust or particle resistance.

Water Protection: Level 4: Protected against splashing water from any direction for at least 10 minutes.

Max Depth Limit: No submersion! Splashes and light rain only.

Found on:Apple AirPods Pro 2 case & buds, Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.

IPX4 cannot be rinsed under high-pressure faucet water or submerged in a sink.

IEC Standard 60529Certified Test

IP54

Dust Protected & Splash Resistant

Smart Home & Outdoor

Shower: NOT Safe (Steam)

Swimming: No Submersion

Common for outdoor security cameras, smart doorbells, foldable phones (hinge area), and cordless power tools.

Dust Protection: Level 5: Dust-protected. Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but will not interfere with normal operation.

Water Protection: Level 4: Protected against splashing water from any angle.

Max Depth Limit: No submersion.

Found on:Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 / Flip 6, Ring Doorbell, outdoor motion sensors.

IEC Standard 60529Certified Test

IPX8

Water Submersion Without Dust Rating

Smartphones & Watches

Shower: NOT Safe (Steam)

Swimming: Yes (Pool)

Used in early generations of foldable smartphones where water gaskets seal the electronics, but hinge gaps could not prevent fine sand particles.

Dust Protection: Level X: Not rated for dust protection (fine sand can enter mechanical hinges).

Water Protection: Level 8: Continuous immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Max Depth Limit: 1.5 meters for 30 minutes

Found on:Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Fold 4, Amazon Kindle Paperwhite.

IEC Standard 60529Certified Test

IP65

Dust-Tight & Water Jet Resistant

Smart Home & Outdoor

Shower: NOT Safe (Steam)

Swimming: No Submersion

Common on construction site radios, outdoor landscape floodlights, and industrial equipment that can be washed down with a garden hose.

Dust Protection: Level 6: Total dust-tight seal.

Water Protection: Level 5: Protected against low-pressure water jets directed by a 6.3mm nozzle from any direction.

Max Depth Limit: Water jets only, no immersion.

Found on:Outdoor LED floodlights, DeWalt site radios, EV home chargers.

IEC Standard 60529Certified Test

5 ATM (50m)

5 Atmospheres Static Pressure (Watch Rating)

Watches (ATM)

Shower: NOT Safe (Steam)

Swimming: Yes (Pool)

Standard for fitness smartwatches. Note: 50m does NOT mean you can dive 50 meters deep! It refers to static laboratory pressure. Suitable for swimming laps in a calm pool.

Dust Protection: Hermetically sealed watch casing.

Water Protection: Resists static laboratory water pressure equivalent to 50 meters (164 feet) depth.

Max Depth Limit: Shallow pool swimming only (NOT high-speed watersports or scuba)

Found on:Apple Watch Series 9/10, Garmin Forerunner, Galaxy Watch 6.

Never push watch buttons or adjust crowns while underwater.

IEC Standard 60529Certified Test

10 ATM (100m)

10 Atmospheres Static Pressure (Snorkel & Watersports)

Watches (ATM)

Shower: NOT Safe (Steam)

Swimming: Yes (Pool)

Sports watch standard suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and water skiing. Can withstand the dynamic pressure spike of jumping into a lake.

Dust Protection: High-grade sealed stainless steel or titanium case.

Water Protection: Resists static pressure up to 100 meters (330 feet).

Max Depth Limit: Recreational snorkeling, sailing, surfing, and high-impact swimming

Found on:Apple Watch Ultra 2, Garmin Fenix 7/8, Casio G-Shock.

IEC Standard 60529Certified Test

The Shower & Saltwater Myth: Why IP68 Phones Still Break

1. Hot Shower Steam: Steam molecules are vastly smaller than liquid water droplets and easily slip past rubber gaskets. Furthermore, hot water softens the waterproof glue inside phones.

2. Ocean Saltwater: IP tests only verify freshwater. Saltwater corrodes metallic charging pins within hours and dries into sharp salt crystals that puncture seals.