A cell phone in the toilet, wet earbuds or a glass of water on your laptop: the consequences vary greatly. Tweakers expert Dennis de Vries says many modern devices are waterproof, but swimming pools, sea water and even steam are not always safe.
Which devices are waterproof, how much water can they withstand, and what should you do if your phone, laptop, or other electronic device gets wet? radar it asked To Dennis de Vries, Editor Adjuster.
What does IP67 or IP68 mean for a phone or smart watch?
To indicate how waterproof a device is, an ingress protection (IP) rating is used, which is composed of two numbers. The last number in the IP rating indicates how waterproof the device is. De Vries explains: “The numbers go from 1 to 9. If your device has the two highest numbers (8 and 9), you know you can throw it in the pool once and it’ll probably be fine.”
If the IP ends with 8, your device will survive in 1.5 meters of water for at least 30 minutes. With an IP ending in 9, your device can also withstand high-pressure water jets.
You can easily check the IP of your device. You can find this code in the device manual, on the packaging, and on the manufacturer’s website.
Smartphones and smartwatches are water-resistant, but not waterproof
According to national standards, no device is completely waterproof adjusterEdit, because waterproofing basically means no matter what happens, water can’t get in. Even with the highest IP rating, a device can only survive for a limited number of minutes and to a limited depth. Some devices are waterproof.
Smartphones and smartwatches are usually waterproof. “Nowadays, almost all phones are waterproof, even the cheaper ones. Almost every brand of smartwatch is also suitable for swimming and has a high IP rating.”
Why Laptops Are Often Not Waterproof at All
This is different from laptops. “Laptops are not waterproof. If you spill a glass of water on a laptop, you typically lose everything. I don’t see that changing in the near future. Laptops contain dozens of more fragile openings and moving parts in the form of hinges.”
“For example, on the tablet side, we see that Samsung does make waterproof tablets for its more expensive models, but few other brands do that. You don’t need to carry the tablet with you at all, so there’s less risk. That’s why manufacturers generally don’t want to invest extra design time and money,” DeVries said.
For speakers and earbuds, it varies from device to device. “When it comes to speakers, it also varies from brand to brand. For example, JBL makes speakers that can theoretically be dunked in a swimming pool. Generally speaking, you really have to pay attention to the speakers.” The following applies to earbuds: “Broadly speaking, there aren’t really any regular earbuds that will survive a dive into a pool with them. They’re generally sweat and rain-resistant, which is certainly good.”
IP68 does not automatically protect against sea water, chlorine and steam
You must also use salt, chlorine, and steam according to regulations. adjusterEditors beware. “The IP rating has been tested with fresh/clean water. Just because a device is waterproof does not mean it is also waterproof,” explains De Vries. He also warns that if you take a long hot shower and the bathroom fills with steam, it’s best not to take your device with you.
DeVries also debunks an oft-heard tip: “It’s a myth that placing a wet device in a container of rice will help. If there’s moisture deep inside the device, such as around the motherboard or battery, the rice grains can’t simply absorb moisture from the outside.”
Is the phone flooded? do this
But what if you drop your phone in the bathtub, for example? Turn off your device immediately and do not charge it while it is still wet. The combination of water and electricity can cause short circuits or oxidation. Then let the device dry in a dry place for two to three days.
When doing this, make sure openings such as the charging port and SIM card slot are open to allow moisture to escape. Try turning the device back on after at least 48 hours. It still doesn’t work or you don’t trust it? In this case, it is best not to continue using the device and go to a repair center.
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