Quick guide through the IP ratings
So what is this IP rating system and those numbers mean?
Do not be confused by the more commonly known Internet Protocol Address. IP in this case stands for Ingress Protection, or International Protection, which is a rating system that defines how well an enclosure (shell of the phone) protects its internal hardware, against environmental factors such as dust and water.
The IP rating system was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commision, and consist of numerical values, with each digit defining a different aspect and level of protection afforded by the phone case.
Do not be confused by the more commonly known Internet Protocol Address. IP in this case stands for Ingress Protection, or International Protection, which is a rating system that defines how well an enclosure (shell of the phone) protects its internal hardware, against environmental factors such as dust and water.
The IP rating system was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commision, and consist of numerical values, with each digit defining a different aspect and level of protection afforded by the phone case.
RATING PROTECTION
Where there is no protection with regards to one of the criteria, the digit is replaced by X
FIRST DIGIT - refers to protections against solid objects, ranging from 1 (protection against accidental touches by hand) to 6 (complete protection against dust). Solid objects can refer to anything, including fingers, tools, wires and dust.
IP0X - No special protection.
IP1X - Protection against solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter, such as a hand.
IP2X - Protection against solid objects greater than 12.5mm in diameter, such as fingers.
IP3X - Protection against solid objects greater than 2.5mm in diameter, such as screwdrivers and other tools.
IP4X - Protection against solid objects greater than 1mm in diameter, such as wires.
IP5X - Limited protection against dust, that is, no harmful deposit.
IP6X - Dust tight. Highest rating.
SECOND DIGIT - refers to protection against water intrusion, and ranges from 1 (protection against condensation) to 8 (immersion below 1m and under pressure.)
IPX0 - No special protection.
IPX1 - Protection against vertically falling drops.
IPX2 - Protection against direct sprays of water, up to 15 degrees from vertical.
IPX3 - Protection against direct sprays of water, up to 60 degrees from vertical.
IPX4 - Protection against direct sprays of water from all directions. Limited ingress permitted.
IPX5 - Protection against low-pressure jets of water from all directions. Limited ingress permitted.
IPX6 - Protection against strong jets of water from all directions. Limited ingress permitted.
IPX7 - Protection against temporary immersion between 15cm and 1m for 30 minutes
IPX8 - Protection against long periods of immersion over 1m and under pressure. Highest rating.
Where there is no protection with regards to one of the criteria, the digit is replaced by X
FIRST DIGIT - refers to protections against solid objects, ranging from 1 (protection against accidental touches by hand) to 6 (complete protection against dust). Solid objects can refer to anything, including fingers, tools, wires and dust.
IP0X - No special protection.
IP1X - Protection against solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter, such as a hand.
IP2X - Protection against solid objects greater than 12.5mm in diameter, such as fingers.
IP3X - Protection against solid objects greater than 2.5mm in diameter, such as screwdrivers and other tools.
IP4X - Protection against solid objects greater than 1mm in diameter, such as wires.
IP5X - Limited protection against dust, that is, no harmful deposit.
IP6X - Dust tight. Highest rating.
SECOND DIGIT - refers to protection against water intrusion, and ranges from 1 (protection against condensation) to 8 (immersion below 1m and under pressure.)
IPX0 - No special protection.
IPX1 - Protection against vertically falling drops.
IPX2 - Protection against direct sprays of water, up to 15 degrees from vertical.
IPX3 - Protection against direct sprays of water, up to 60 degrees from vertical.
IPX4 - Protection against direct sprays of water from all directions. Limited ingress permitted.
IPX5 - Protection against low-pressure jets of water from all directions. Limited ingress permitted.
IPX6 - Protection against strong jets of water from all directions. Limited ingress permitted.
IPX7 - Protection against temporary immersion between 15cm and 1m for 30 minutes
IPX8 - Protection against long periods of immersion over 1m and under pressure. Highest rating.
So now it should be very easy to decipher for instance the IP rating of the new Sony's flagship - Xperia Z1. It's been certified as IP55 and IP58 which means that is highly resistant against the dust and completely waterproof. It is the first handset on the market (along with Xperia Ultra) to be fully certified as a waterproof.
This means you can get pretty good shots in the pool under the water. Remember though, if you would like to try to use it for jacque cousteau kind of pictures, the salt water would kill it fairy quickly.
This means you can get pretty good shots in the pool under the water. Remember though, if you would like to try to use it for jacque cousteau kind of pictures, the salt water would kill it fairy quickly.