What IP ratings actually mean
IP ratings are tested in a controlled lab environment with fresh, still water, at a specific temperature — not in the conditions most phones encounter in real life. Salt water, chlorinated pool water, and pressure from waves or a running tap can cause damage to IP-rated phones that still water at that depth would not.
| Rating | Water resistance | Common phones |
|---|---|---|
| IP67 | 1m depth, up to 30 minutes | iPhone 8, X, XR, 11; Samsung A-series |
| IP68 | 1.5–6m depth, up to 30 minutes (varies by brand) | iPhone 12–16; Samsung S-series; Galaxy Z Fold/Flip |
| IPX4 | Splash resistant only — not submersible | Some budget Xiaomi and Oppo models |
| No rating | No water resistance claim | Older and budget devices |
⚠️ Critical point: IP ratings are not covered by manufacturer warranties for water damage. Apple, Samsung, and all other brands explicitly exclude water damage from warranty — even on IP68-rated phones. If water gets in, repair is out of pocket regardless of rating.
What happens inside a phone when water gets in
Water itself doesn’t immediately destroy electronics — but when it reaches circuit boards and components, it creates a conductive path between points that shouldn’t be connected. This causes short circuits. Then, as the water dries, it leaves mineral deposits behind — and those deposits continue to corrode the board over days and weeks, even after the phone seems to have dried out and recovered.
This is why a phone that works fine immediately after getting wet can fail days later — the corrosion continues after the visible water is gone.
What to do immediately if your phone gets wet
- Power off immediately. The number one priority. A powered phone actively fries components when water creates short circuits. Turn it off before anything else.
- Do not charge it. Charging a wet phone is the fastest way to cause permanent damage.
- Do not use rice. Rice does not absorb moisture from inside electronics — it absorbs ambient humidity. By the time rice “works”, corrosion has already begun. This is a persistent myth that wastes critical time.
- Do not put it in the sun or use a hairdryer. Heat causes further corrosion and can damage components.
- Bring it to a repair shop within hours. The sooner a technician opens the device, cleans the board with isopropyl alcohol, and removes the moisture, the higher the chance of full recovery.
How water damage is treated professionally
At Certified Phone Repair, we open the device, identify which areas have been exposed to liquid, clean the logic board and affected components with 99% isopropyl alcohol using an ultrasonic cleaner where needed, and test all functions after drying. Badly corroded boards with multiple damaged chips may not be fully recoverable — but early treatment dramatically improves outcomes.
Success rate: Phones brought in within 1–2 hours of water exposure have a significantly higher recovery rate than those brought in after “trying rice for a few days”. Time is the most important factor after powering off.
Signs water damage is present even without a visible wet event
- Phone working intermittently — powers on sometimes, not others
- Microphone or speaker suddenly distorted or silent
- Charging port not working despite no visible physical damage
- Screen showing lines or discolouration without a drop
- Liquid damage indicator (LDI) — a small red dot inside the SIM tray or charging port that turns red when exposed to water. Apple technicians check this during warranty assessments.
Related terms
- Motherboard Repair — water damage often leads to board-level repair
- Battery Health — water can accelerate battery degradation
Power it off and bring it in immediately. Certified Phone Repair at Westgate and AMK Hub — water damage assessment and treatment same day.
