Earlier in the week, Apple unveiled the new iPhone 7 series with IP67 water-and-dust resistant certifications, making it Apple's first ever smartphone to boast such high durable ratings.
Now, it has come to light that users are advised not to venture into a water body like swimming pool or lake with their Apple iPhone 7 (and 7 Plus), as the company has warned that the handset damaged due to liquid will not be covered under warranty.
Here's the Apple iPhone 7 foot-note on IP67 rating:
"iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are splash, water, and dust resistant and were tested under controlled laboratory conditions with a rating of IP67 under IEC standard 60529. Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone; refer to the user guide for cleaning and drying instructions. Liquid damage not covered under warranty."
So what's protected under IP67 certifications?
With IP67 ratings, the new iPhone 7 series devices can survive immersion in water for 30 minutes up to 1 meter (3.3 feet), but that doesn't mean users can take the phone for a dip in the swimming pool and take photos or call.
However, IP67 certifications safeguards the iPhone 7 under following circumstances -- accidentally dropping it into the toilet or swimming pool or getting splashed during rain, provided the owner immediately dries the device with a cloth before start using it.
How IP dust-and-water resistant certifications are granted to devices?
As per International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60529, IP (Ingress Protection) rating classifies the degrees of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water in electrical enclosures. This standard aims to provide users, more detailed information on waterproof and other marketing terms, the companies use to sell their devices.
IP ratings are defined with two digits, first numerical representing level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts and the second digit indicates the protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water.
Dust and particulate resistant rating chart:
Level | Object size protected against | Effective against |
0 | Not protected | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
1 | >50mm | Any large surface of the body, such as the back of the hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part. |
2 | >12.5mm | Fingers or similar objects. |
3 | >2.5mm | Tools, thick wires, etc. |
4 | >1mm | Most wires, screws, etc. |
5 | Dust Protected | Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact. |
6 | Dust Tight | No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact. |
Water and other liquid resistant rating chart:
Level | Object size protected against | Effective against |
O | Not protected | ---- |
1 | Dripping water | Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no harmfull effect. |
2 | Dripping water when tilted up to 15° | Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from its normal position. |
3 | Spraying water | Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect. |
4 | Splashing water | Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect. |
5 | Water jets | Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
6 | Powerful water jets | Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle) against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. |
7 | Immersion up to 1m | Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion). |
8 | Immersion beyond 1m | The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which shall be specified by the manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can enter but only in such a manner that it produces no harmful effects. |
[More information on IP rating chart, click here]