Ingress protection (IP) ratings were once reserved for the most premium of smartphones, but they have now made their way to even affordable smartphones like the Pixel 8a. Yet, with the recent launch of the OnePlus 13, we’ve entered new territory — IP69-rated smartphones. This sounds like a significant leap from the IP67 and IP68 standards, but before we get caught up in the hype, let’s take a step back and understand what this relatively unknown dust and water resistance rating really brings to the table.
What is IP69 and why does it exist?
An Ingress Protection (IP) rating is an international standard for measuring how well devices can resist dust and water. The first digit refers to dust protection, and goes up to a maximum of six. The second numeral refers to water resistance, and can go as high as nine. Most modern smartphones are rated IP67 or IP68, meaning they are as dust-tight as possible and can survive splashes and even submersion in water. Foldable smartphones are often an exception, though, as they may have tiny crevices that allow dust or water to seep in.