Understanding IP69 Rating in Smartphones: What Does It Mean ?
When it comes to purchasing a
smartphone, one important factor to consider is its water and dust resistance.
Consumers increasingly look for phones that can withstand accidental spills,
dust storms, or even a drop in the pool. This is where the IP rating system
comes in, offering a standardized way to measure the degree of protection
provided by a device against the elements.
Among the various IP ratings
available, IP69 stands out as one of the highest levels of protection. But what
exactly does it mean, and how does it compare to other ratings commonly seen on
smartphones? In this article, we’ll dive into the IP69 rating, its
significance, and how it impacts the durability and usability of smartphones.
What is an IP Rating?
IP stands for Ingress
Protection, which refers to the level of protection a device has against solids
(like dust) and liquids (like water). The IP rating consists of two digits:
The first digit indicates the
level of protection against solid objects, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 6
(complete protection against dust).
The second digit measures the
protection against liquids, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protection
against high-pressure water).
For example, an IP68 rating,
which is common in many flagship smartphones, means the device is fully
dust-tight (6) and can withstand immersion in water up to a certain depth and
duration (8, typically up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes).
What Does IP69 Mean?
An IP69 rating is one of the
highest ratings currently available for smartphones, offering exceptional
resistance against both dust and water. Specifically, it breaks down as
follows:
6: Complete protection against
dust ingress. The device is fully sealed against dust particles, preventing any
particles from entering the phone, even under stressful conditions.
9: Protection against
high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. This means the device can withstand
powerful water jets directed at it from any angle, including water that is
pressurized and hot (up to 80°C or 176°F).
What is IP69K?
The IP69K rating is an
extension of the IP69 rating, designed to meet even more stringent standards.
It’s typically used in rugged devices, including smartphones, that need to
withstand extreme environments where protection from dust and high-pressure
water jets is essential—but with an added emphasis on durability under harsher
conditions.
K in IP69K stands for
"K-rated", a designation that indicates a specific testing protocol
that involves more intense conditions than the standard IP69 tests.
IP69K-rated devices must pass
additional testing involving high-pressure water jets at a higher temperature,
usually up to 80°C (176°F), but with a closer range and more powerful streams
compared to IP69 testing.
How Does IP69 Differ from
Other Ratings?
While many smartphones come
with an IP67 or IP68 rating, which are sufficient for most everyday water and
dust-related incidents (such as rain or accidental drops in the sink), IP69 is
designed for more extreme conditions. Here’s how it compares:
IP67: Protection against dust
and immersion in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.
IP68: Protection against dust
and immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.
IP69: Total protection against
dust and high-pressure water jets, typically in industrial or harsh
environments. This rating exceeds the level of protection offered by IP67 and
IP68 in terms of both liquid exposure and dust resistance.
IP69 is particularly useful in
situations where a device may be exposed to heavy, continuous exposure to
high-pressure water (such as in outdoor work environments or for specific
industrial applications) or extreme dust exposure (common in construction or agricultural
settings).
Differences Between IP68 and
IP69
Now, you might be thinking
that if a device has an IP69 rating, it automatically inherits the features of
IP68. But that’s not entirely true.
While both ratings share the
“6” suffix, which means the device’s enclosure is dust-tight, the “8” in IP68
and the “9” in IP69 represent different types of water protection.
IP68 devices are capable of
withstanding immersion beyond 1 meter in water for a specified time (usually 30
minutes to 1 hour). This makes them ideal for underwater applications like
swimming or snorkeling.
IP69 devices are designed to
endure high-pressure water jets and steam cleaning, but they may not be
suitable for prolonged submersion.
This difference explains why
some devices carry both IP68 and IP69 ratings—this allows the device to handle
both underwater use and high-pressure cleaning scenarios, offering versatility
for a wider range of environments.
The key takeaway is that
IP68-rated devices are commonly found in environments that involve outdoor
lighting, poolside use, or even shallow underwater activities. On the other
hand, IP69, with its robust protection against high-pressure cleaning, is
better suited for environments that require frequent and intense cleaning, such
as in food processing, medical equipment, and certain industrial settings.
