Hey QUESTERS,

You must have heard a lot about IP ratings in smartphones, earbuds, smartwatches, etc. Hope you guys have heard about IP 53, IP 68 and wondered what they mean. Today I'll explain to you what IP is, what those numbers mean, and many more.

⦁What is IP?

-> IP stands for Ingress Protection.

⦁What do the numbers mean?

-> The first digit stands for the SOLID state of matter. Eg:6 stands for solid (dust particles)

-> The second digit stands for LIQUID state of matter. Eg: 8 stands for liquid.

The Below table shows what each number represents-

Image Credit: NEMA Enclosures

⦁Note: Most people have a perception that WATER RESISTANT means WATERPROOF, which is wrong. Water Resistant means the ability to resist the penetration of water to some degree not entirely.

⦁Note: Where ever you see such ratings it's always mentioned that maximum depth is 1-2 meters for 30-40 minutes generally. This is mentioned as gradually when the depth increases, the pressure of water on the smartphone increases too and forces its way into the smartphone.

Image credit: Times of India

⦁How to know if your smartphone is water-resistant?

-> Check the SIM card tray of your smartphone. If you find a rubber coating on it, then it is water-resistant.

-> In all the ports of your device, there will be a rubber coating to prevent the entry of water.

-> Your smartphone is water-resistant, the display & the frame of your smartphone will be attached with a special adhesive, to resist water inside.

⦁After the manufacturing is done, the device is sent for certification and it is tested by dust and water and certified. This also adds to the cost of a device where a lot of people don't know about this.

⦁Do IP ratings work?

-> Yes, absolutely, but there is a catch. The adhesive applied, starts getting weak over the period. This is completely dependent on how and in what condition the user has used the device. So if you buy the latest smartphone, the IP rating does help, but when it starts becoming dated, nothing can be guaranteed about IP rating.

Note: If your smartphone is ever opened for Servicing or any other purpose, the IP rating capability is lost and can't be restored. Even though your smartphone is IP rated and there is some water or dust damage, it won't be covered in the Warranty.

     So I'll like to conclude by saying, always remember, IP rating is for some amount of Protection and a certain period rather than permanent protection. Hope you come to know about IP ratings and if you still have doubts feel free to ask in the comments.

**Posting this thread again, as in previously published thread, images weren't showning up once published.**

Regards

Rhitweek Santra