IP68-rated phones are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and the rating can give users a misleading sense of security. This matters because liquid damage is commonly excluded from phone warranties, leaving owners potentially liable if a device fails after being submerged.

The rating’s first digit measures protection from solids such as dust, while the second measures water resistance; IP68 does not set one universal submersion limit, as manufacturers specify the depth and duration beyond one metre. Tests use a new phone in still, clean water, unlike real-world pools, seawater, heat, dirt or impacts that may weaken seals; newer iPhones, for example, are rated for up to six metres for 30 minutes, while older models range from two to four metres.