Phones and cases advertise IP ratings like IP68, but the code is easy to misread, and getting it wrong can mean a water-damaged phone. Here is how to decode any IP rating in seconds.
How to Read an IP Code
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The first digit after IP is solids and dust resistance on a 0 to 6 scale. The second digit is liquids on a 0 to 9 scale. So IP68 means 6 (fully dust-tight) and 8 (protected against continuous submersion). An X, as in IPX8, means that property was simply not tested, not that it fails.
IP68 vs IPX8 vs IP54
IP68 is the gold standard: dust-tight and submersible, typically to 1.5m for 30 minutes on modern phones. IPX8 offers the same water submersion rating but the dust resistance was not rated. IP54 means limited dust protection and splash resistance only, so it survives rain and sweat but not submersion. For real underwater use, choose a sealed waterproof case.
What the Ratings Do Not Cover
IP water tests use still fresh water. Salt water, hot showers, and high-pressure jets can exceed the test conditions, and ratings degrade as seals age. Treat IP68 as splash and accident insurance, not a diving guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the X in IPX8 mean? It means the dust resistance was not tested or rated, not that it has none. The 8 still means it passed submersion testing.
How deep is IP68? On most 2024-2026 phones, IP68 means up to 1.5m of fresh water for 30 minutes. Exact depth and time vary by manufacturer.
Is IP54 waterproof? No. IP54 is splash and rain resistant only. It will survive a drizzle or sweat but not being dropped in water.
Read the two digits separately: dust first, water second. For submersion you want an 8; for full dust sealing you want a 6.