Which iPhones are waterproof?<\/p>
This is a question whose answer you need to know before engaging in extreme activities with your beloved Apple gadget. This is because the term ‘waterproof’ itself is more nuanced than most people actually know. <\/p>
Just because your phone is waterproof or water-resistant does not mean it can survive a journey to Atlantis and back. But since it seems you are itching to take your iPhone on some aquatic adventures, let’s dive in without further ado (pun probably intended).<\/p>
There\u2019s always a strong debate and misunderstanding between the terms ‘waterproof’ and ‘water resistant’. For a device to be considered waterproof, it should 100% remain functional even after extended exposure to water. Waterproof implies that a device is completely indestructible by water. That would mean you could go diving with your iPhone for hours and it would be just fine. <\/p>
As it stands, no smartphone is waterproof.<\/p>
Water-resistant, on the other hand, means there is a limit to how long it can be safely exposed to water. This means they are designed to withstand liquid contact to a certain extent, but may still be damaged by water under certain conditions.<\/p>
To make it clear, Apple does not advertise any of their iPhones as \u201cwaterproof\u201d. They do say they are water resistant under certain conditions, however. Depending on the iPhone model you own, the water-resistance capabilities may vary.<\/p>
The dust and water resistance levels of the iPhone are indicated with the Ingress Protection (IP), e.g. IP67. <\/p>
The IP rating system is a system that classifies the protective qualities of electrical and electronic enclosures. Each IP rating uses a two-digit number to denote the specific level of protection the enclosure offers.<\/p>
The first digit refers to the enclosure\u2019s ingress protection against solid objects, ranging from dust to fingers and small hand tools. A rating of 1 is the most basic level of protection, while a rating of 6 indicates a totally dust-tight enclosure.<\/p>
The second digit refers to the enclosure\u2019s ingress protection against water. A rating of 0 indicates no protection against water, while a rating of 8 indicates a waterproof enclosure that can survive prolonged submersion. Note, though, that other liquids like oil and coolant are not included in this rating system.<\/p>
The IP system combines the two numbers into a rating that provides a quick shorthand for an enclosure\u2019s protective qualities. <\/p>
Devices with IP67 and IP68 enclosure ratings are identical in many ways, as they offer protection against:<\/p>
The differences between IP67 vs. IP68 enclosures are:<\/p>
However, it is important to emphasize that buying an IP68-rated enclosure requires checking the manufacturer\u2019s specifications.<\/p>
As mentioned above, there are no waterproof iPhones. <\/p>
The first water-resistant iPhones were the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus with an IP67 water-resistant rating. This means that they can survive in water at a maximum depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes. The following releases \u2014 the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, and the iPhone SE (2nd Generation) \u2014 all received an IP67 rating as well.<\/p>
The iPhone XS, XS Max, and 11 have an IP68 rating that allows them to resist liquid intrusion at a maximum depth of two meters for up to 30 minutes. iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max also have an IP68 rating, but Apple claims that they can withstand up to four meters of water depth for 30 minutes.<\/p>
The iPhone 12 and later are the most water-resistant iPhones Apple has produced so far. Also with IP68 ratings, they can survive being submerged in water as deep as six meters for 30 minutes.<\/p>
What’s more, every device from the iPhone XR onwards is resistant to spills from other liquids such as soda, beer, coffee, tea, and juice.<\/p>