Comparing IPX5 and IPX6 Waterproof Ratings: A Real-World Perspective

2025-05-16 15:13:03 hj2008mt

So, when you're purchasing a new smartphone, 'waterproof' usually ranks right up there at the top of the list of essential features. Thanks to tech improvements, smartphones are now coming out with various degrees of water resistance. We're talking about IPX5 and IPX6 classifications, mainly. This article aims to discuss diving into how these two ratings—IPX5 and IPX6—differ, with my personal perspective and what others have said, to give a comprehensive overview of water resistance in modern phones.

IPX5 Waterproof Rating

IPX6 Waterproof Rating

Waterproof Ratings in Real Life

Waterproof Ratings: The Future

ipx5 vs ipx6

IPX5 Waterproof Rating

An IPX5 rating means a phone can withstand splashes from any angle, for up to 12. 5 liters of water per minute.

This is handy for daily items, like spilling a liquid or slight rainfall, or you know, perspiration after a exercise session. My own experience with an IPX5 water-resistant phone was that it survived several minor spills and mild rainfalls without problems. But here's the thing, when my phone was drenched, it wasn't as great as an IPX6 rated device would've been, just because the IPX5 rating isn't as strong.

ipx5 vs ipx6

IPX6 Waterproof Rating

Now, with an IPX6 rating, that means the phone is completely safe from intense water spray coming from any angle. An IPX6 rated device can take on a 100 liters per minute water blast from from a distance of three meters.

A a friend of mine bought an IPX6 rated device and it performed wonderfully even during a extreme rainfall. It was also fine when it ended up by accident in small pool of water.

ipx5 vs ipx6

Waterproof Ratings in Real Life

When it comes to picking between IPX5 and IPX6, it's mostly about what your way of life is like and what you expect your phone to handle. If you're pretty careful and just want to be covered for small stuff, an IPX5 phone should be sufficient.

But if you're always out there, like a sports buff or a traveller, you might wanna choose an IPX6 phone instead. For me, I'd rather have an IPX6 phone because it just perceives safer, especially when I'm doing things around water or out in the weather.

ipx5 vs ipx6

Waterproof Ratings: The Future

Intelligent phones are a important matter these days, and damp protection is a important matter too. The anticipated development of smartphones is probably going to make damp protection even better, maybe even bringing IPX5 and IPX6 together in one easy-to-get system. So future phones might be able to handle water better, but still be easy to figure out and compare.