If you’re looking for a new phone or smartwatch, you may have come across the term IPX8. But, what exactly does it mean?
Keep reading to learn all about IPX8, as well as what an IP rating is, how much protection IPX8 offers and which devices are certified with the label.
What Is IPX8 water resistance?
To understand what IPX8 means, you’ll first need to know what an IP rating is. An IP – Ingress Protection – rating is a certification that indicates how well a device is able to withstand exposure to dust and water.
IP ratings are typically comprised of two digits.
The first digit represents the ability of the device to withstand solids (e.g. dust) and ranges from 0 to 6, with 0 being no protection and 6 meaning a tight seal against it.
The second number indicates how well the device can hold up to liquids (e.g. water) and ranges from 0 to 9, with 0 again being no protection and 9 meaning it is protected against high-pressure and temperature water jets.
Examples of common IP ratings include IPX4, IP68 and, the focus of this guide, IPX8.
A device marked IPX8 will have a high water-resistance rating. The organisation behind the IP rating system, the IEC, defines an 8 for water protection as “protected again the effects of continuous immersion in water”.
More specifically, an IPX8-certified device should be able to handle being submerged in 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes. However, different products may be able to go deeper or remain underwater for longer with the same rating. It’s up to the manufacturer in this regard.
The X in the IPX8 indicates that the device has not actually been tested for its ability to withstand solids. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the phone or watch is unprotected, but it does mean that the product may not be able to withstand dust as well as a device marked IP68, for example.
What devices are IPX8 certified?
Popular devices that hold an IPX8 rating include the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.
However, many of the best smartphones available right now are rated IP67 or IP68, meaning they also offer a high level of dust protection. That includes the flagship Samsung Galaxy S22 and iPhone 14 devices.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
