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HomeExplainersWater resistance (IP68)
▸ EXPLAINER

What does IP68 mean?

By PixPause Editorial · Updated September 26, 2026 · 1 source

SHORT ANSWER

IP68 is an international rating (IEC 60529) for how well a device keeps out dust and water. The "6" means fully dust-tight; the "8" means it survived continuous submersion beyond 1 metre in the maker's own test conditions. It's water-resistant, not waterproof — and it says nothing about drops or bending.

EXPLAIN IT LIKE I'M 5

IP68 is a swimming badge for your phone: it passed a test in a calm pool. It didn't test the sea, the shower, the sauna — or being sat on.

Decoding IP68
Ingress ProtectionThe IEC 60529 rating for dust and water
Dust-tightThe top rating for solids (scale 0–6)
Deeper than 1 m, continuouslyDepth and time set by the maker (scale 0–9)

Reading the code

IP stands for Ingress Protection. The first digit (0–6) rates protection from solids and dust — 6 is dust-tight. The second digit (0–9) rates water: 7 means temporary immersion up to 1 m; 8 means continuous immersion beyond 1 m, under conditions the manufacturer sets. That's why two IP68 phones can promise different depths and times.

What it doesn't cover

Ratings come from lab tests on new devices, usually in fresh water. Seals can age, salt water and chlorine are different, and hot water or steam isn't covered. IP ratings also say nothing about drops, bends or hinge strength — a separate question, as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold PixProof shows.

Before you swim with it

Check the maker's stated depth and time, and whether your warranty covers water damage — many don't, even on IP68 devices.

▸ THE HYPE VS WHAT WE FOUND

Real claims involving this term, each checked in a PixProof with linked sources.

"Titanium hinge, Ceramic Shield and IP68."Those iPhone Duo specs are real and independently confirmed — but long-term foldable durability is still unknown.INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCEiPhone Duo PixProof →"Google's most durable foldable yet, with IP68."A Pixel 10 Pro Fold exploded on camera during a standard durability test — IP68 is about water and dust, not bending.BYEPixel 10 Pro Fold PixProof →

▸ PIXPROOFS THAT USE THIS TERM (2)

▸ COMPANIES BEHIND IT

Apple Inc.Google LLCSamsung Electronics

HYPE OR REAL?

"The iPhone Duo's IP68 rating is a real, independently confirmed spec."

▸ QUICK QUESTIONS

Is IP68 waterproof?
No — water-resistant under specific test conditions. Depth, time and water type matter, and resistance can drop as seals age.
What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?
IP67 covers temporary immersion up to 1 m; IP68 covers continuous immersion beyond 1 m, in conditions the maker specifies. Both are dust-tight.
Can I swim in the sea with an IP68 phone?
Tests are usually in fresh water; salt water, pool chemicals and waves aren't covered. Many warranties exclude water damage.

▸ SOURCES

Spot something wrong? Tell us — corrections are logged, see methodology.

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