An IP68 code alone is not permission to use a phone underwater. Read the exact model, test depth and time together. A laboratory condition is not a promise about everyday wear or an instruction to submerge it.
Same code, different stated conditions
Apple lists iPhone 11 at up to 2m, 11 Pro at up to 4m and iPhone 12 at up to 6m, each for up to 30 minutes. All three carry IP68. Do not transfer these depths to another maker’s products.
Apple lists iPhone SE (2nd generation) as IP67, at a maximum depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes. The table shows model-specific laboratory conditions, not recommended depths for everyday use.
| Apple example | Rating and test conditions |
|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2nd generation) | IP67 · Maximum 1 m · up to 30 minutes |
| iPhone 11 | IP68 · Maximum 2 m · up to 30 minutes |
| iPhone 11 Pro | IP68 · Maximum 4 m · up to 30 minutes |
| iPhone 12 | IP68 · Maximum 6 m · up to 30 minutes |
Make four comparison fields
Record exact model, manufacturer test conditions, uses to avoid and instructions after getting wet. If a seller gives only a code, consult the official manual. Do not assume standard and Pro models in one series share the same conditions.
Do not reproduce the test at home
Apple says resistance is not permanent and may decrease with wear; intentional submersion is among uses to avoid. Do not dunk a phone to verify the depth claim. Follow that model’s charging and drying instructions if it gets wet.
A worked example
Comparison example: identify two used phones advertised only as IP68 and copy each model’s official conditions. An undamaged-looking exterior does not establish present resistance or justify planning underwater filming.
Common questions
Does every IP68 device have the same depth?
No. Check the maker’s conditions for that exact model.
Does this table recommend underwater use?
No. It is an example of reading laboratory conditions.