What the heck is IP68?

March 29, 2017

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Samsung‘s latest releases, the Samsung Galaxy S10S10+ and S10e are unlike any Samsung we’ve ever seen before, as if you weren’t already aware. One thing they have that Samsung S9 users will already be familiar with is IP68, which means the phone is dust and water-resistant.

An IP68 rating might not be new, but it’s still something to get excited about. Here’s why.

The Samsung Galaxy S10S10+ and S10e are stunning devices. One thing they have that Samsung S9 users will already be familiar with is IP68. Meaning that the phone is life-proof.

An IP68 rating might not be new, but it’s still something to get excited about. Here’s why.

What does IP68 mean?

IP stands for ‘Ingress Protection’, and IP ratings are used to define levels of a gadget’s resistance to dirt.

The first number following the IP tells you how resistant an object is to solids, like dust. The 2nd number relates to its resistance to liquids, like water.

IP68 is the highest rating you can get when it comes to protecting your phone. Solid resistance goes up to a high of 6, while liquids are marked on a scale of 0-8. With 8 as, you guessed it, the most resistant.

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A rating of 6 implies the object is dust-tight. While the 8 means the phone is protected against submersion in water, for up to 30 minutes. Which is pretty amazing.

So, how is this good for you in actual life? You can text in the rain, spill your glass of water over the screen and drop your phone in the toilet, without worry. If not, you’ve got Three Insurance to save you, right?

Just don’t get too cocky and start practising your synchronised swim routine with your new Samsung in tow. Remember it’s only up to 1.5m water depth. And be careful in salt water: If your phone does dunk into salty H20, it needs to be cleansed thoroughly so that salt doesn’t block the microphone or speaker.

A high IP68 rating doesn’t mean you should be trying water dunking tricks with your phone. It just means you can have peace of mind that knowing it’s protected in case of inevitable accidents.

So now you know. IP68, the best protection for a device. And you’ve got it. Enjoy.