When reading through the technical specifications of a device, one may come across all sorts of familiar and unfamiliar terms. The latter presumably also include the "IP code" or the "IP protection class". This is particularly interesting with regard to smartphones. Because you can use it to check, among other things, how suitable your device is for outdoor use.
What do the IP protection classes mean?
The IP protection classes of an (electronic) object indicate the degree of protection with which a housing is protected against external influences. These influences are, for example, contact, moisture and foreign bodies such as dust or sand. The "IP" stands for "International Protection" and has nothing to do with the IP address of computers. The IP code is used for all kinds of electronic devices: from smartphones to garden lamps to vehicles. Incidentally, the term "IP protection class" is incorrect in that the protection classes refer to measures against electrical voltages on the device. The above-mentioned properties are understood as protection classes.
The IP protection classes are identified by a two-digit number. The first digit indicates how sensitive the device is to touch and foreign objects. The second number relates to the protection of the device against water. In the following you will find a table that explains the individual digits in more detail. The IP code is then composed of the two corresponding numbers that represent a device's touch and water sensitivity..
| 1st digit | Protection against contact / foreign bodies | 2nd digit | Protection against water |
| 0 | unprotected | 0 | unprotected |
| 1 | Protection against foreign bodies> 50 mm / protection against contact with the back of the hand | 1 | Protection against dripping water |
| 2 | Protection against foreign bodies> 12 mm / protection against finger contact | 2 | Protection against dripping water <15 ° C |
| 3 | Protection against foreign bodies> 2.5 mm / protection against contact with tools | 3 | Protection against water spray |
| 4th | Protection against foreign bodies> 1 mm / protection against contact with wire | 4th | Protection against splash water |
| 5 | Protection against dust / protection against contact | 5 | Protection against water jets |
| 6th | dustproof, protection against contact | 6th | Protection against heavy jets of water |
| | | 7th | Protection against temporary submersion |
| | | 8th | Protection against permanent immersion |
| 1st digit | Protection against contact / foreign bodies | 2nd digit | Protection against water |
| 0 | unprotected | 0 | unprotected |
| 1 | Protection against foreign bodies> 50 mm / protection against contact with the back of the hand | 1 | Protection against dripping water |
| 2 | Protection against foreign bodies> 12 mm / protection against finger contact | 2 | Protection against dripping water <15 ° C |
| 3 | Schutz gegen Fremdkörper > 2,5 mm / Schutz gegen Berührung mit Werkzeugen | 3 | Schutz gegen Sprühwasser |
| 4 | Schutz gegen Fremdkörper > 1 mm / Schutz gegen Berührung mit Draht | 4 | Schutz gegen Spritzwasser |
| 5 | Schutz gegen Staub / Schutz gegen Berührungen | 5 | Schutz gegen Strahlwasser |
| 6 | staubdicht, Schutz gegen Berührung | 6 | Schutz gegen schweres Strahlwasser |
| | | 7 | Schutz gegen zeitweises Untertauchen |
| | | 8 | Schutz gegen dauerhaftes Untertauchen |
Which smartphone has which degree of protection?
You will normally find the IP protection class of your smartphone in the manufacturer's information. These can be accessed online on the manufacturer's website, for example. Alternatively, they are sometimes stated on the packaging or in the instructions for your device. In the following we have put together a list of the most common smartphones and the corresponding protection classes:
| Smartphone guy | IP protection class | Protected of |
| Samsung Galaxy smartphones from S7 upwards (including S10 +) | 68 | Protection against dust & contact / protection against permanent immersion |
| iPhone 11 Pro | 68 | Protection against dust & contact / protection against permanent immersion |
| iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS | 67 | Protection against dust & contact / protection against temporary immersion |
| Google Nexus 6 P. | 67 | Protection against dust & contact / protection against temporary immersion |
| LG G5 | 67 | Protection against dust & contact / protection against temporary immersion |
| Elephone 9000 | 67 | Protection against dust & contact / protection against temporary immersion |
| Huawei P9 | 67 | Protection against dust & contact / protection against temporary immersion |
| Smartphone-Typ | IP Schutzart | Geschützt vor |
| Samsung Galaxy Smartphones ab S7 aufwärts (inklusive S10+) | 68 | Schutz gegen Staub & Berührungen / Schutz gegen dauerhaftes Untertauchen |
| iPhone 11 Pro | 68 | Schutz gegen Staub & Berührungen / Schutz gegen dauerhaftes Untertauchen |
| iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS | 67 | Schutz gegen Staub & Berührungen / Schutz gegen zeitweises Untertauchen |
| Google Nexus 6 P | 67 | Schutz gegen Staub & Berührungen / Schutz gegen zeitweises Untertauchen |
| LG G5 | 67 | Schutz gegen Staub & Berührungen / Schutz gegen zeitweises Untertauchen |
| Elephone 9000 | 67 | Schutz gegen Staub & Berührungen / Schutz gegen zeitweises Untertauchen |
| Huawei P9 | 67 | Schutz gegen Staub & Berührungen / Schutz gegen zeitweises Untertauchen |