Who hasn’t dreamed of a phone that resists water? As summer approaches, with swimming, beaches and outdoor activities, protecting your smartphone becomes a real necessity. Even though several models are now advertised as waterproof, that doesn’t mean they can be submerged without consequences. Water resistance is a useful protection, but it has its limits. It’s therefore essential to understand how it works to avoid damaging your battery and internal components.
The IP rating: an essential guide before you buy
Before buying a smartphone marketed as “waterproof”, you should know that there are strict standards defining how well a device is protected against dust and liquids. These standards are grouped under the IP rating (Ingress Protection), made up of two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects (dust, particles), while the second digit relates to resistance to water or other liquids.
Understanding protection levels against solids
- 0 or X: No certified protection
- 1 to 4: Increasingly fine protection against solid objects ranging from 50 mm to 1 mm
- 5: Partial protection against dust
- 6: Full protection against dust
Understanding protection levels against liquids
- 0 or X: No protection
- 1 to 3: Basic protection against falling water droplets
- 4: Resistance to splashes and water spray
- 5 to 6: Able to withstand increasingly powerful water jets
- 7: Can withstand immersion up to 1 metre for a maximum of 30 minutes
- 8: Can be immersed deeper than 1 metre, for 30 minutes
- 9/9K: Resistant to high-pressure, high-temperature washing
So, for temporary and controlled immersion, only smartphones with an IP rating starting with 7 or 8 (such as IP67, IP68) are truly suitable. It’s therefore crucial to check this rating before you buy, especially if you’re often around water.
Protection against water… but not without precautions
Even if a smartphone is certified IP67 or IP68, that doesn’t mean you can dive with it without a second thought. These ratings guarantee resistance, not long-term use in water. An IP67 rating protects against immersion of less than 1 metre for 30 minutes, while IP68 can go down to 3 metres, still for a limited time.
Occasional use only
Despite a high rating, manufacturers themselves advise against frequent underwater use. In reality, these protections are mainly designed for unexpected accidents, such as dropping your phone in water, not for filming your diving sessions.
Once opened, a phone is no longer truly waterproof
Another important point: if you’ve opened your smartphone for a repair, or this has been done in a workshop, the original water resistance may no longer be guaranteed. This is because a specific seal protects the internal components. Once this seal has been moved or poorly refitted, water can seep in, causing irreversible damage, particularly to the battery, motherboard or connectors.
The right habits to avoid damaging your device
A smartphone with an IP rating should not be treated as a fully submersible device. To avoid serious damage:
- Never deliberately submerge your phone, even with an IP68 rating
- Avoid any prolonged contact with water, especially if the device has already been opened
- Choose equipment specifically designed for underwater filming, such as waterproof action cameras
A waterproof phone is above all a safety net in case of a one-off accident, not a tool designed for water sports and activities.
Conclusion: water resistance doesn’t mean invincible
Owning a waterproof smartphone is a real advantage, especially in summer when we spend more time outdoors. However, this water resistance is regulated, limited, and can be compromised by poor handling. To protect your battery and components, adopt sensible use around water and don’t replace your waterproof camera with your phone, no matter how tough it claims to be.
