Waterproofing
Waterproofing is the term used to describe how well a phone can withstand being submerged in water. There are two types of waterproofing: ingress protection (IP) rating and egress protection (EP). An IP-rated device can only be immersed in water for a certain amount of time before damage occurs. An EP-rated device can be immersed in water for longer amounts of time without any damage occurring.
IP Rating
The IP rating is measured in millimeters of water pressure at 1 meter depth for 30 minutes. The higher the number, the less likely it is that the phone will break if dropped in water. Most phones have an IP rating between 5 and 10. A few phones have an IP rating over 20.
Egress Protection
Egress protection is the measure of how long a phone can remain underwater before damage begins to occur. The higher the number the longer the phone can stay under water. Most phones have a rating of 0, meaning they cannot be submerged under water for more than 30 seconds.
IP Ratings vs. Egress Protection
Most people think that an IP rating is the same thing as an EP rating, but they are not. An IP rating measures how much water pressure the phone can handle while an EP rating measures how long the phone can stay submerged before damage occurs.
How to Determine Your Phone’s IP Rating
To determine your phone’s IP rating, look at the back of the phone. On the bottom right corner of the phone should be a small sticker that says “IP”. If the sticker is missing, then the phone does not have an IP rating.
What Does the IP Rating Mean?
An IP rating means how much water pressure the device can handle. A higher IP rating means that the device can handle more water pressure. The higher the number on the IP rating, the more resistant the phone is to water damage.
What Does the Egress Protection Mean?
An Egress Protection rating tells you how long the phone can remain submerged before damage starts to occur. The higher number on the Egress Protection rating, the longer the phone can remain submerged.