The “IP68” nomenclature included in some mobile phones, watches or tablets indicates the level of protection of the electronic device from the access of particles such as dust and liquids.
IP stands for “Ingress Protection” or access protection and is regulated by the international standard CEI 60529 Degrees of Protection.
In this way, the degree of protection that a device has against dust and water can be easily identified regardless of the country of manufacture or sale of the device.
Nowadays, that a mobile phone or smartwatch has IP68 protection is an essential requirement not only to be able to use it underwater, but also for protection against moisture or drops of liquids that may fall on the device. Protection against dust is also very important to, for example, protect the photo and video cameras of the phone or tablet and prevent specks of dust or sand that prevent taking photos normally.
The two digits that follow the initials IP indicate in the case of the first digit the degree of protection against solids and the second digit the protection against liquids.
Therefore, the higher these two numbers, the higher the protection of the device against solids and liquids.
It must be taken into account that no manufacturer offers a guarantee against liquids and dust since this degree of protection is only guaranteed when the device leaves the factory, this is due to the fact that with the passage of time, use and possible falls the Protection can be degraded or lost entirely.
Nor can they offer a guarantee in the case of devices that have been opened to replace a part such as the battery or the screen glass since this protection is done by sealing the device. In the case of IP68 the protection against solids is the highest currently available, grade 6 indicates “Total protection or watertightness”. While the protection of the IP68 standard against liquids is 8 which indicates “Protection during continuous immersion” and the manufacturer must indicate the time and depth that it supports with this level of watertightness.