From a design viewpoint, the iPhone X shares very little with the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 series. With a completely revamped design featuring an all-display front, the iPhone X feels more premium to look and hold than the iPhone 8 which Apple had unveiled alongside it. And yet like its brother, the iPhone X features an IP67 rating thereby making it dust and water-resistant.
The IP certification guideline has been set by the IEC 60529 standard which provides an IP a.k.a Ingress Protection rating for consumer devices depending on their dust and water-resistance.
What does IP67 Rating Mean? Does it Mean iPhone X is waterproof?
Like the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the iPhone X carries an IP67 certification. The ‘6’ in the ’67’ is for the dust-proof rating of the handset, while the ‘7’ denotes its water-resistance ability. If one goes by Apple’s description, the iPhone X can withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes in up to 1.5m depth.
For consumer devices, IP68 is the highest level of certification available which means that while the iPhone X has the best dust-proof rating possible out there, its water-resistance capabilities can still be improved. Major Android flagships like the Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 8, LG V30, and others feature an IP68 certification.
It is important to note that despite the IP67 certification, the iPhone X is not waterproof.
The Fine Print
The IP67 certification of the iPhone X only certifies it to be resistant to water or any kind of liquid to a certain extent. Do not expect the phone to survive if you end up taking it deep water swimming with you. If you expose the phone to pressurized water, the water resistance seal can easily break thereby damaging the handset. Similarly, you should avoid exposing the phone to any other kind of liquid other than tap water. Sea/salt water can end up wreaking havoc on your iPhone X, with the damage caused likely being beyond repair.
It is advised that you do not take your iPhone X swimming with your to the beach, or regularly expose it to pool water for a long period of time. If you do end up dropping your iPhone X in salt/sea water, quickly take it out of the water and even if it is working fine, wash it thoroughly with fresh water and then dry it properly. Follow the same steps if you spill any other liquid on the device.
Wear and Tear
Apple achieves the IP67 certification on the iPhone X by running a rubber gasket around the edges of the device thereby sealing the internals completely. However, this sealing can and will deteriorate over time. Under regular use, this should not much of a difference. However, if a drop ends up causing a major damage to the chassis of the device, its IP rating can be seriously compromised.
Bye Bye Warranty
Just because your iPhone X comes with an IP67 certification, it does not mean that Apple will cover it for any kind of liquid damage. While any kind of liquid damage caused due to a manufacturing defect will likely be covered, do not expect Apple to honor the warranty if it was caused because you decided to push the phone’s water-resistance capabilities.
It is better to take the water-resistance capabilities of your iPhone X as a backup instead of taking it for granted and dropping the phone in water or any other liquid every other day.
Has the iPhone X’s water-resistance capability failed you in any scenario? Or has is it saved you from buying a new phone after a drop in the shower? Drop a comment and let us know!
