Until recently, a smartphone that fell into water had little chance of surviving and returning to work once dried, sometimes with creative – and ineffective – methods such as inserting it into a box full of rice. For some years, however, the main mobile phone manufacturers such as Samsung and Apple have begun to make water-resistant models, which within certain limits can remain immersed for minutes without running particular risks. Even for smartphones of this type it is still advisable to take some precautions, in case they accidentally ended up under water.
Do I have a waterproof smartphone?
If the smartphone you are using is less than two years old, it is likely that it has been designed and treated to be water resistant. To find out, you can read the technical specifications on the manufacturer's website, or search for information on a search engine by entering the name of the smartphone followed by the words “waterproof” or by the codes IP67, IP68 and IP69. If one appears in the description of your smartphone, it means that there is a good chance that it will resist a short stay in the pool, or the pouring of a glass of water or other drinks.
Degree of protection
IP codes identify the degree of protection offered by your smartphone, based on an international standard (IEC 60529) established by the International Electrotechnical Commission . The numbers are used to classify more precisely the qualities of smartphones, and more generally of electrical and electronic products, with more precise references than generic ones such as “water resistant”, “waterproof” and “dust resistant”.
Before continuing, it is good to remember that no isolation is really definitive: sooner or later the water will find a way to sneak in. The standards also serve to define a time limit within which the smartphone can guarantee sufficient insulation from water.
The two digits after IP indicate that the smartphone complies with certain characteristics and therefore complies with the indications of the standards.
IP68 indicates that the smartphone is “dustproof” (6), built in such a way as to prevent the entry of any small solid body, and that it has protection ” from permanent immersion “(8) to a depth of over 1 meter (usually over 3 meters) for at least 30 minutes.
IP69 indicates dust tightness (6) and a higher degree of water protection (9) at more intense temperatures and pressures than protection level 8.
In most cases, an IP68 is more than enough to guarantee a good insulation of the smartphone, and therefore a low risk that water can damage it.
Slightly older models may have a degree of protection IP67 , with 7 indicating resistance to immersion up to 1 meter and for about 30 minutes.
Insulation
To ensure that their smartphones are IP68, manufacturers work to minimize the points from which water could infiltrate, ruining the circuits. Insulation usually includes the use of particular gaskets and special screws. The circuits are also treated with substances that create a thin water-repellent film, to prevent water from infiltrating. Over the years, this insulating layer tends to degrade slightly, thus offering less protection.
Examples
The medium and high price models of smartphones on the market today are almost all equipped with IP68 or IP69, but it is good to check that this feature is indicated first to buy them.
Apple
All iPhone models on sale today are water, splash and dust resistant. The iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have an IP68 rating. The iPhone SE, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have an IP67 rating.
Samsung
All Galaxy S20 and S10 models have an IP68 degree of protection, and Samsung was also one of the first manufacturers to adopt solutions to isolate its smartphones from dust and water: already the S5 series models in 2014 they offered an IP67 degree of protection.
Huawei
The Huawei P30 Pro are IP68, as well as the new Huawei P40 Pro. The P30 and P40 versions instead have an IP53 degree of protection, so they are resistant to splashes of water, but do not get along well if they are immersed.
Google
Pixel 4 and Pixel 3 are IP68; Pixel 2 are IP67.
What to do if the smartphone ends up in the water
For IP68 and IP69 smartphones, a fall in water should not be a serious problem. The advice is to retrieve the phone as soon as possible, hold it upright and gently tap it against the other hand, so that the accumulated water can flow outwards. It is not necessary to turn off the smartphone, but it is advisable to keep it for a few hours in a ventilated environment, or in front of a fan, and not to connect any accessories (including the charging cable) until the contacts are completely dry.
The idea that there is water between the contacts or other parts of the smartphone can leave you restless and lead you to employ creative solutions, such as using cotton swabs, strips of absorbent paper and other objects in the phone. It is better not to do this: you risk damaging the contacts or their protective film. The advice is to wait a few hours for the smartphone to dry in the air.
The use of hairdryers and hot air jets is also not recommended, as they could damage the smartphone casing and screen.
If you get wet with other liquids?
It may happen that your smartphone does not end up in the pool and bathtub but in the toilet, or that you are the victim of a flood caused by a glass or cup spilling onto the table. In this case, it should be rinsed quickly under tap water, rubbing it if necessary with a damp cloth (such as the one for cleaning glasses) and then left to air dry.
Microphone and speakers
In addition to the charging and headphone connectors, the other weak points of smartphones are the speaker and microphone housings. The waterproof models are equipped with special grids and other solutions to prevent water from infiltrating, but in the case of a dive these components will hardly remain dry.
These are parts that tend to dry more slowly than the others, and it could therefore happen that for some time the smartphone reproduces the sounds with some distortion or poorly picks up noises with the microphone. This usually resolves itself once the speakers and microphones dry completely.
Cracks and nicks
If the smartphone is a few years old and has survived a few drops by repairing dents, nicks or cracks in the screen, it may have lost its resistance to water. In this case, even an IP68 could be affected by the effects of immersion in water.
What if I don't have a waterproof smartphone?
Things get complicated for smartphones that don't have any kind of water protection. In this case, most manufacturers recommend turning off the device as soon as possible, removing the SIM from its slot and removing the battery (if the smartphone model allows it). Then it must be held vertically so that the residual water flows outwards and it is advisable to wait half a day before trying to turn it on again and see if it still works.
But the story of rice?
One of the most recurrent and long-standing tips for soaking cell phones is to put them in a bag or box containing rice, which should help remove moisture from the circuits, promoting faster drying. As we had told here, rice is a myth, however, and there is no evidence that it offers a better result than leaving the smartphone in the open air.
