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Waterproof phones... technological solutions to resist water challenges

“Water is life”; A famous saying shows the role of water in sustaining life, but in the world of technology, "water is death" because all electronic devices have their biggest enemy, l water, which causes damage. This is why most international phone companies are working on making water-resistant phones to protect their internal parts if dropped into liquids or water.

Most consumers prefer waterproof phones, particularly those that enjoy underwater photography. They require such devices, but can they rely on this technology to keep their equipment safe?

How do waterproof phones work?

Waterproof phones, also called waterproof phones, operate primarily using special cases made from waterproof materials, which protect their sensitive internal components. It should be taken into account that these cases do not affect the performance of the phone, since they are manufactured according to particular standards that we will mention and detail:

– Material: Enclosures are typically made of materials such as thermoplastic polyurethane or a mixture of waterproof plastic and rubber and are characterized by their durability and ability to form waterproof seals. This material is chosen for its durability and its ability to form a waterproof seal.

– Sealing Mechanism: The most important aspect of a case is its ability to completely seal the phone with secure locking mechanisms, such as snap clasps or screw caps, which prevent water from entering. penetrate the case. The sealing areas are generally reinforced with O-rings or rubber or silicone gaskets to ensure a perfect seal.

IP Rating: Waterproof phone cases are graded according to an ingress protection rating standard. This rating reflects the level of protection against dust and water. For example, an IP67-rated enclosure is dustproof and can withstand immersion in water to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes. Higher ratings, such as IP68, provide better protection against water.

– Touchscreen Compatibility: Advanced waterproof cases allow interaction with the phone screen through the case. This is done by using flexible, transparent materials on the screen area that transmit touch without obstructing functionality.

– Sound transmission: The design of these boxes not only prevents water from entering but must also allow sound to pass through. Speakers and microphones need air flowing into and out of the phone because creating vibrations in the air is how they produce sound.

On the other hand, if the phone is sealed, the pressure inside the phone may not be equal to that outside, allowing that pressure to penetrate the seals of the phone and let in the phone. 'water.

To solve this problem, companies make an ultra-soft mesh in front of the speaker and microphone, which will prevent water from entering these holes and remaining in the abscess.

This is due to the ultra-small holes and the surface tension of the water.

– Pressure equalization: Some high-quality waterproof cases include pressure equalization features, allowing the case to be used at greater depth without damaging the phone or compromising the integrity of the case.

– Camera view: For cases that cover the phone's camera, high-quality transparent materials are used to ensure that the camera view is not affected, allowing photos to be taken and clear videos even underwater.

The difference between a waterproof phone and a waterproof phone

The terms waterproof and waterproof may sound similar and represent almost the same purpose, but the truth is that they mean two different things.

A waterproof phone will remain functional even after being submerged in water for a specific period and depth, which is indicated by its water resistance thanks to its IP rating; This makes it more suitable for activities such as swimming or underwater photography.

Although the phone is water resistant, it is designed to withstand splashes of water, such as rain or accidental spills. It can also withstand exposure to water for a short period.

For its part, the term waterproof indicates that water can't enter the phone under any circumstances. This is why some companies use it as a marketing term, but in reality, there is no such thing as a waterproof device.

Even though your device can withstand a few minutes in the rain or fall into a shallow pool, you cannot use it when diving into deeper areas. At some point all measures based on repelling water will fail, because as the depth increases the pressure will increase and therefore water will enter the device due to the high pressure applied on the phone.

We conclude from the above that “water resistance” is the more accurate term. This indicates that the phone has leak protection technologies, but water can enter it under certain circumstances, although this is a small but important difference.

How do you know if your phone is waterproof?

A good way to know how much water your phone can withstand is the Protection Rating (IP), which simply indicates how much protection the device can provide. However, this does not mean that the device will never be damaged.

Different IP ratings offer more or less protection. For example, a device with an IP rating of 68 is considered more protected than a device with an IP rating of 55. The first number indicates dust protection and ranges between 0 and 6, with 6 being the maximum, while when the index is 0, it is indicated by the letter X.

The second number indicates water resistance, which varies between 0 and 9, but on cell phones, the maximum number it reaches is 8, like the iPhone 15, which has an IP rating of 68.

According to Apple, the IP 68 rating of its devices is dust resistant and can withstand water to a depth of 2 to 6 meters for 30 minutes, depending on the type of phone

while the IP 67 rating offers a similar rating. level of protection against dust, but it is water resistant to a depth of only one meter and for 30 minutes.

For its part, the IP55 rating indicates that the phone has minimal protection against and is only intended to protect the phone from sweat. However, the IP5X rating indicates that it is not dust-proof and offers simple water protection.

It should be taken into account that the tests are carried out only in fresh water and under no circumstances should the phone be placed in salt water, as salt water could damage it irreparably.

It's important to remember that water resistance is intended as a backup to protect your phone from water damage, not as a cool feature to test. You probably don't have to worry if you accidentally drop a waterproof phone in a puddle. But you shouldn't take your device to the pool every chance you get, because it's not designed to be an underwater camera.