Are IP68 & IP69 Ratings Really Useful for Indian Users?
- Tech Authority
- 1d
- 5 min read
Recently, there has been a trend among smartphone vendors to flaunt the IP68 and IP69 rating as a high-end specification. This started from the time the rating became a reality in the Indian smartphone circuit. The IP rating certification tended to be a marketing point in the Western world regarding the weather and water resistance offered to users. Not to forget the dust resistance offered. However, the IP rating certification has gained prominence in the context that Indian users exercise different usage patterns.
To answer this question truthfully, one must remember what these ratings actually state and what they can do in reality within the Indian environment.
Understanding IP Ratings in Simple Words
IP stands for Ingress Protection, a global standard that measures how well a device is protected against solid particles (like dust) and liquids (like water). The rating is written as IP followed by two numbers.
First digit (6) → Dust protection
Second digit (8 or 9) → Water protection
IP68 Rated mobile devices are dust-tight and can be submerged in fresh water (usually for 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 meters).
An IP69-rated phone will provide a level of resistance to high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, a test normally done by machinery in an industrial setting.
By considering these standards, you can select
On paper, these certifications seem highly reassuring, especially in a country like India where their respective devices have to confront dust, rain, sweat, and sometimes accidental splashes on a daily basis.
IP Rating vs IP67, IP65, IP66, IP64
India provides a distinctive combination of challenges to the environment in which smartphones need to perform. Dust in the Indian environment is higher compared to other countries. This holds truer in the Indian cities, and in the semi-urban and rural areas in particular. India experiences extremely high temperatures in the summer seasons. The monsoons in India are unpredictable. The humidity in the Indian environment remains high for a wider
In such an environment, IP68 and IP69 protection does make a tangible difference. It is much easier to count on such a phone’s survival in case of unexpected rain during your commute home from work, dust when you visit construction sites, or when you happen to drop it in water in your own home. Even situations such as sweating when you are at the gym and cooking when you are in your kitchen are made less risky.
For those who travel extensively, are outdoor workers, or live where there is intense monsoon rain, this additional degree of protection can make all the difference.
IP Ratings Have Limitations
Although IP ratings appear to be impressive, they are not a guarantee for a lifetime warranty. These are done in a controlled laboratory, where water used for testing is fresh water. However, in Indian conditions, water resistance might mean rainwater mixed with contaminants, muddy puddles, saltwater in coastal areas, or even soap and detergents.
The second aspect is wear and tear. The rubber seals and adhesives within a smartphone will naturally deteriorate because of heat, drops, and usage over a period of time. This will ensure that if a phone is water resistant on day one, it may not offer the same resistance after a year or two.
Most notably, the water damage protection in India is minimal when the device has either the IP68 or the IP69 certification. Damage caused by water seepage in the smartphone gets labelled as liquid damage by the service centers, and the individual has to spend money from his/her pocket to get the smartphone repaired.
IP68 vs IP69
In reality, for the normal Indian consumer using a smartphone, the difference in IP68 and IP69 rating does not make a big difference. In the case of high-pressure water jet-proofing in IP69, it has more applications in industrial settings.
Practically speaking, IP68 is more than adequate for the common hazards of rainfall, accidental splashing, or temporary immersion. The added protection of IP69 is a nice touch, but such a rating will not retroactively make a phone waterproof for underwater photo shoots, swimming pools, or rough water environments.
Therefore, as you are deciding which two phones to choose between where one has IP68 and the other IP69 protection, this is not one of the factors that should make much of a difference to you unless you are looking at somewhat demanding conditions.
Is Paying Extra for IP Ratings Worth It in India?
There are many smartphones with IP68 or IP69 certification that cost a premium. The next question that arises is whether the premium is worth it.
If you happen to be one the people that use your phone outdoors often, one that travels during monsoons, or one that works in a dusty environment, then investing that little extra for your phone to be IP-rated could be the best move ever. This way, you will be stress-free.
In fact, if your use pattern is predominantly indoors and you already use a protective case, the additional cost required for a higher IP might be unnecessary. In those situations, other factors such as battery life, image quality, software, or support might pay a greater role.
What Indian Consumers Should Actually Expect from IP68 & IP69 Phones
IP ratings must be regarded from the point of view of damage resistance, not damage immunity. Such mobile devices are intended for survival in accidents, not for encouraging users to engage in risky activities. Testing your mobile in water, even IP-rated mobiles, is not a good practice.
The common-sense approach of not using the water when it’s not needed, drying the phone properly when it’s been exposed to water, and taking care of the device help more with durability than the IP rating.
For Indian users, IP68 and IP69 protection is an honourable feature in itself. Keeping dust and monsoons in mind, such protection does ensure that you are protected from unexpected situations that can damage your smartphone.
Nonetheless, these ratings should in no way be interpreted to mean waterproofing. They don't substitute for proper care, and they don't come with free repairs in case of malfunction either.
In any case, IP ratings are a great bonus to have but not an absolute necessity. If you can have them on your phone without having to give up some important features or pay a highly inflated price tag, then they are a must-have. Otherwise, a phone that has an IP rating lower than IP68 may be the better value.
A wise Indian consumer would strike a balance to know what a ratinIP can do and how to use a ratinIP to the best in the budget they have.
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