What Is IP68 in Mobile? IP67 vs IP68 vs IP69 Water Resistance
IP68 means a phone is fully dust tight and can survive being under fresh water beyond 1 metre for the time the brand states, often 1.5 to 6 metres for 30 minutes. IP67 is the same dust rating with a shorter test of 1 metre for 30 minutes, and IP69 adds protection against hot, high-pressure water jets. None of these ratings makes a phone waterproof, and water damage is usually not covered by warranty.
Updated 24 October 2026
How to read an IP rating
IP stands for Ingress Protection. It comes from the international standard IEC 60529, and it has two digits: - First digit (0 to 6): protection against solid particles such as dust and sand. 6 means dust tight, 5 means dust protected but not sealed. - Second digit (0 to 9): protection against water. 4 means splashes, 5 and 6 mean water jets, 7 means short immersion, 8 means longer or deeper immersion, and 9 means high-pressure, high-temperature jets.
So when someone asks 'what is IP68 water resistant mean', the answer is: 6 for dust tight, 8 for immersion beyond 1 metre. An 'X' in place of a digit, as in IPX4, means that part was not tested.
The tests are done in a lab with fresh, still water at room temperature. Real life in Pakistan, with sea water at Clifton, chlorinated pools, hot showers and dusty roads, is harder on a phone than the lab.
IP68 vs IP67: what is the difference?
Both ratings are dust tight. The difference is the water test: - IP67: survives immersion up to 1 metre of fresh water for up to 30 minutes - IP68: survives immersion deeper than 1 metre; the brand sets the exact depth and time
In practice, Samsung Galaxy S phones are rated for 1.5 metres for 30 minutes, while iPhone 12 and newer are rated for up to 6 metres. The Galaxy A55 and A56 and Google's Pixel a-series have mostly used IP67.
For everyday use, the difference between IP68 vs IP67 is small. Both phones survive rain, a spilled glass of water or a quick drop in a bucket. IP68 gives a little more margin if the phone falls into deeper water. Neither is meant for swimming or underwater photos.
IP69 and IP68 vs IP69: which is better?
IP69 is the newest rating on phones. It tests protection against water jets at around 80°C and very high pressure, sprayed from close range, the kind of test used for equipment that is washed with pressure cleaners. Oppo, Vivo, Realme, OnePlus, Tecno and Xiaomi now print IP69 on many models, often together with IP68, for example 'IP68 / IP69'.
IP69 is not a deeper version of IP68. It is a different test. A phone with only IP69 is not proven for long immersion, which is why good phones list both. So for 'ip68 vs ip69 which is better', the honest answer is that the best is a phone with both. If you must pick one, IP68 matters more for the usual accidents: drops in water and rain.
IP69 does help in real situations such as heavy rain on a bike or a splash of hot tea, but it still does not make a phone safe in a hot shower, a sauna or a car wash.
IP68 vs IP54, IP64 and IP65: budget phone ratings
Many budget and mid-range phones from Infinix, Tecno, Redmi, Vivo Y and Oppo A carry lower ratings: - IP54: dust protected and splash resistant. Fine for light rain and sweat, not for dropping in water. - IP64: dust tight and splash resistant. - IP65: dust tight and protected against low-pressure water jets. - IP66: dust tight and protected against powerful jets.
IP68 vs IP54 is a big gap. An IP54 phone should be kept away from water completely; an IP68 phone can survive an accidental dunk. If a phone has no IP rating at all, it may still resist a few drops, but the brand promises nothing.
For dust, which is a daily issue in Pakistani cities and on motorbikes, any rating that starts with 6 means dust cannot enter. A 5 means a little dust may get in but not enough to harm the phone.
Waterproof vs water resistant
No phone is waterproof. Brands say 'water resistant' because: - The rating is tested on a new phone in a lab, with fresh still water - Seals and glue age and weaken with heat, drops and time - Salt water, chlorine, soap, perfume and hot water damage seals faster - Pressing buttons underwater or water jets from a tap can push water past seals
That is why Apple and Samsung both say their IP ratings are not permanent and can reduce with normal wear. A three-year-old IP68 phone is not as sealed as it was on day one.
In the Pakistani market, a 'panel changed' phone, meaning the screen has been replaced at a local shop, has usually lost much of its factory sealing. Treat a used phone with a replaced screen or back as if it has no water rating. Our guide on what a water pack phone means (Water Pack iPhone Meaning in Pakistan (and How to Check One)) explains another term you will see on used listings.
Water damage and warranty
This is the part many buyers learn too late. Apple, Samsung, Google and most other brands exclude liquid damage from the standard warranty, even on IP68 phones. Phones have liquid contact indicators inside that change colour when wet, so a service centre can tell.
If your phone does get wet: - Switch it off and do not charge it - If it was salt water or a drink, rinse gently with a little fresh water - Dry the outside, shake out the ports and leave it upright in a dry, airy place - Do not use a hair dryer or put it in the sun on a hot day - Rice does not help much; airflow and time are better - Wait several hours, and do not charge until the port is fully dry. Many phones warn you if liquid is detected in the port.
All our phones come with a 7-day checking warranty for faults found on arrival. Like the brands, it does not cover water damage. See check mobile warranty (How to Check Mobile Warranty in Pakistan (Samsung, iPhone, Infinix and More)) for brand warranty rules.
How to check a phone's IP rating and which phones have it
Every model page on our site lists the water resistance rating in the specs table, so you can compare IP68 vs IP67 or IP54 before you buy. You can also check the brand's official spec page.
Generally in our catalogue: - IP68: iPhone 11 and newer (except iPhone SE models), Galaxy S21 FE and newer S models, Pixel 6 and newer main Pixel models, many Xiaomi and Poco upper mid-range phones - IP68 plus IP69: recent Oppo Reno and Find X, Vivo V, OnePlus 13, Realme 15 Pro and GT 7, Tecno Camon 40 Pro and Camon 50 series - IP67: Galaxy A3x and A5x, Pixel a-series up to the Pixel 8a, iPhone SE 2022 - IP54 to IP65: most Infinix, Tecno Spark, Redmi Note and budget Vivo and Oppo phones
If you want a phone that handles monsoon rain and accidents well, pick one with IP68 from the waterproof mobiles guide (Waterproof Mobile Phones in Pakistan: IP67, IP68 and IP69 Picks). All our stock is Non PTA or Non Custom box pack with factory seals intact, except our used iPhone 11 to 15 units, which we sell as used.
