If someone tells you their smart phone is waterproof, what they mean is water resistant. Okay, so waterproofing a phone is not possible at this point, but strides have been made to greatly increase the IP Rating of phones.

What is IP Rating?

The IP rating on a phone is a number system used to describe the phones resistance to the elements. For example, the iPhone 11 has an IP Rating of 68 as does the Samsung Galaxy s20. The numbers are separated into two categories. The first number in the rating provides the information on the phone’s internal protection against solids, such as dust. The solid rating is a scale of 0-6, the iPhone 11 and the Samsung Galaxy s20 both are dust tight. A 6 rating means the phone is completely protected against dust, good news for those who enjoy being outdoors with their phone. The second number in the scale refers to the phone’s protection against liquids. The liquid scale however uses the numbers 0-9, with 9 being the highest. The iPhone 11, as mentioned above, has a second digit of 8. The 8 means the phone is protected from long term immersion up to a specified pressure. 9 is currently the highest protection available and has the ability to withstand against high pressure and high temperature spray downs. This feature is very useful in industries like fire service where a phone may be exposed to high pressure hoses.

How much water can my phone take?

If your phone has a rating of IP67 then it can technically be submerged in water at a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. The IP 68 rating mentioned earlier in the blog has improved the water resistance to depths of 1-3 meters for that 30-minute window. Note: When these tests are performed the phones are on standby mode, results may vary if the phone is powered on. For iPhone’s you can find their IP rating on Apples’ website from the iPhone 7 and up. For our Samsung users you can find your IP rating on Samsung’s website.

What about my phone case?

Similar to the phones, cases are not technically waterproof, but they are much better at protecting your phone from water. There are many cases to fit every make and model to help protect your phone around the water. Many of these cases however can impact the functionality of the phone and can be a hindrance in everyday use. The Catalyst iPhone case can protect a phone that can typically survive 1-3 meters underwater, and allow it to be submerged up to 33 feet underwater. Don’t worry Samsung users, there are cases out there to protect your phone from water damage as well. Android Authority made a list of their top 5 waterproof cases for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10. Like the Catalyst case, the Just cool waterproof case can protect a Samsung device for up to 30 minutes in 33 feet of water. It does not matter what side of the Android Vs iOS debate you fall on; we can all agree that protecting our devices is a top concern.
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