Many people has been asking that with all the incredible new features, including Apple Intelligence, that iPhone 16s will be possesses, will all its variants waterproof? There’s a lot of exciting news in the iPhone world, especially with the announcement and upcoming launch of the iPhone 16 lineup.
However, with all these news, there are something that the next Apple's upcoming flagship will be lacking. A Typical example is the fact that iPhone 16 models will not have a SIM tray for users in the United State. Another example to back what I'm saying is that Apple confirmed that it'll also remove "Apple Sticker" from the upcoming iPhone 16s.
Even if a device is powerful, it has to be durable to be useful. That's, no matter how powerful a device is, it needs to physically last long enough to be useful. For example, if your phone stops working after making a call on a rainy day, it wouldn’t be very helpful. So, is the iPhone 16 and its versions waterproof?
Is the iPhone 16 waterproof?
First of all, I want you to understand the difference between "Waterproof" and "Water-resistant". The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they don't have the same meaning. Smartphones featured with IP rating means they’re durable and can handle a bit of moisture, but they are not waterproof. Instead, think of them as water-resistant.
The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max all have an IP68 rating, which means they are resistant to dust and can handle being submerged in water up to a certain depth (usually 1.5 meters) for up to 30 minutes without getting damaged.
This simply means they’re durable and can handle a bit of moisture, but they are not waterproof. A device proven to be waterproofed means water literally cannot penetrate the casing. Meanwhile, waterproof smartphone is literally not possible because a charging port, microphones, and other external access points.
However, many phone makers have tried to build a waterproof smartphones but they're not getting it. They can only make their devices as close to waterproof as they can only use precise designs (such as slim tolerances) and tight fits.
Speaking about the IP rating, it has two parts; IP6X and IPX8.The first number shows how resistant the device is to dust. An IP6X rating means the device is totally dust-proof. The second part shows water resistance. An IPX8 rating means the device can handle being underwater up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes.
This means, if you drop your phone in the shower or bathtub, it’s likely to be fine because it’s designed to handle such situations with freshwater. However, saltwater is different—it’s more corrosive and can damage the metal parts of your iPhone even with just a little exposure.
Meanwhile, you should also note that the specified IP rating isn't permanent. Factors like how the phone is built and how it's used can affect its water and dust resistance over time. Damages of openings caused during repairs also weakens the phone's protection - making dust and water to get inside the phone easily.
Even with careful repairs, it’s hard to match the precision of the original assembly. A bad fall can loosen the fit and let water in, even if the screen isn’t cracked. To protect your phone, consider using a case. Companies like Ghostek offer waterproof cases, and there are also waterproof pouches that work with almost any phone.
