Phone manufacturers love throwing IP ratings on spec sheets. But what do IP67, IP68, and IP69 actually mean — and why does water still get into your speaker on an IP68-rated phone?
IP rating decoded
- IP67: dust-tight, survives 1m of water for 30 min
- IP68: dust-tight, survives deeper submersion (varies by manufacturer; iPhone 15 = 6m for 30 min, Galaxy S24 = 1.5m for 30 min)
- IP69: dust-tight, withstands high-pressure hot-water jets (rugged phones only)
Top water-resistant phones in 2025
- iPhone 16 Pro Max — IP68 (6m / 30 min)
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — IP68 (1.5m / 30 min)
- Google Pixel 9 Pro — IP68
- OnePlus 12 — IP65 + IP68
- Sony Xperia 1 VI — IP65/IP68
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 — IPX8
- iPhone 16 — IP68
- Pixel 9 — IP68
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra — IP68
- CAT S75 (rugged) — IP68/IP69K
What IP68 doesn't protect
- Speaker meshes — sound has to get out, so water can get in
- USB-C / Lightning ports when wet (charging triggers liquid-detected alert)
- Pressure changes (jumping into a pool exceeds the test pressure)
- Hot water, soapy water, salt water — ratings are tested in clean fresh water only
- Aging seals — water resistance degrades after 2+ years
When water does get in, use SpeakerRescue to eject it.