Smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. They accompany us everywhere we go, be it to work, parties or to the beach. In these everyday situations, our mobile phones are exposed to the dangers of water and dirt. But Apple advertises its new iPhones as being "classified under IP68 according to IEC Standard 60529". But what exactly does that mean? Is the iPhone 13 really waterproof? We will answer these questions in the following blog.

The difference between waterproof and water resistant

When the new iPhone 13 was released this year, everyone was excited, especially when it was described as "water resistant" and "waterproof". But what exactly do the two terms mean and what distinguishes them? 

Water resistant

Water resistance is the lowest level of protection against water. If a device is called water resistant, it is only designed to make water penetration more difficult. It may be that the smartphone is covered with a very light substance that improves its chances of survival in the event of an accidental encounter with water.

So water resistant is not a reliable protection against water.

Waterproof 

The definition of "waterproof" is quite simple, but the concept behind it is not. Currently, there is no established industry standard by which a mobile phone can be classified as waterproof. The closest standard currently available is the Ingress Protection Rating Scale (or IP-Code).

Is my iPhone 13 waterproof or water resistant?

With the IP68 rating, the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are water resistant for up to 30 minutes in a water depth of up to 6 metres. However, this water protection only applies to a new iPhone, the protection can be significantly compromised by scratches and cracks on the device. Therefore, you should definitely protect your iPhone 13. 

The iPhone 12 series has the same rating as the iPhone 13, i.e. 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 6 metres. The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are protected for 30 minutes at a depth of 4 metres. 

For iPhone 11, XS and XS Max models, this water resistance is half that of its successor at a maximum depth of 2 metres (6 feet) for 30 minutes or less.

The iPhone SE (second generation), iPhone 7 and 8, iPhone XR and the original iPhone X have an IP67 protection rating according to IEC 60529 with a maximum depth of 1 metre for 30 minutes. 

Here are a few tips on how to protect your iPhone from water damage: 

• Do not swim or bathe with your iPhone.
• Do not expose your iPhone to water under pressure or heavy splashes, such as showering, water skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, jet skiing, etc.
• Do not use your iPhone in a sauna or steam room.
• Do not intentionally immerse your iPhone in water.
• Do not use your iPhone outside the recommended temperature ranges or in extremely humid conditions.
• Do not disassemble your iPhone, including the screws.

Is there a fully waterproof iPhone 13?

There is currently no iPhone that is completely waterproof. iPhones are "waterproof" to protect them from accidents at the beach, in the shower, in the swimming pool or in a café, so that you can clean your device as quickly as possible and avoid potential damage. Resistance to splashes, water and dust is not a permanent state and resilience may decrease with wear. 

The use of the term "waterproof" is risky. The term "waterproof" actually indicates that it is a permanent state and that what has been made "waterproof" will never deteriorate when in contact with water - no matter what the situation. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of the condition of your iPhone, because a small scratch in the wrong place can have different consequences if your iPhone comes into contact with water.

Discover our selection of cases for the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Is water damage covered by the warranty? 

Unfortunately, Apple is not responsible for water damage. You are not entitled to a free replacement, nor are the repairs covered by Apple Care. You must cover the cost of repair yourself. That's why it's so important to protect your iPhone with a waterproof case. This ensures that no water damage can be inflicted on your iPhone. 

Does my iPhone 13 have dust protection?

We're sorry to disappoint you here. The iPhone 13 does have dust protection, so unfortunately it's not 100% dust proof. Due to the way smartphones are designed nowadays, it's not even possible to release a fully waterproof and dustproof iPhone. 

What should I do if my iPhone falls into the water?

1. If any liquid other than water splashes on the iPhone, rinse it carefully with tap water.

2. Wipe the iPhone with a soft, lint-free cloth. Make sure the iPhone is dry before opening the SIM card slot.

To dry your iPhone, tap it gently against your hand with the Lightning connector facing downwards to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry place with a little fresh air. To speed up the drying process, place your iPhone in front of a fan that blows fresh air directly into the Lightning connector. 

! Do not dry your iPhone with an external heat source or by inserting a cotton swab or paper towel into the Lightning connector !