Whether you’re thinking about buying an iPhone X or concerned about potential water damage on your current device, this article will quickly answer the question: is iPhone X waterproof?
If you’re in a rush, here’s a super quick answer for you: the iPhone X is resistant to water but not completely waterproof. So, if you get a splash of water on your iPhone X it should be okay — but we wouldn’t recommend going swimming with your iPhone X!
Read on for more specific details and practical tips on how to prevent and remedy iPhone X water damage.
Is the iPhone X Waterproof or Water Resistant?
To say that the iPhone X is waterproof would imply that it’s impermeable to water (i.e. no water can enter the device). While the iPhone X is water resistant (i.e. protected from water to a degree), it isn’t waterproof by definition.
Many companies these days will use the terms waterproof and water resistant interchangeably while promoting their products. In reality, there’s a clear distinction between these two classifications. The distinction can be determined by the product’s IP code (IP stands for “International Protection” or “Ingress Protection”).
Waterproof Rating
The iPhone X has a waterproof rating or, more accurately, an IP code of IP67. This code is a standardized measure of the device’s resistance to both physical particles (such as dust), and moisture.
The first number of the IP code (ranging from 0 to 6) refers to the device’s resistance to dust. The second number of the code (ranging from 0 to 9) refers to its moisture resistance. As such, the iPhone X (which has an IP67) is 100% resistant to dust (dust rating of 6 out of 6) and largely resistant to water (moisture rating of 7 out of 9).
A moisture rating of 7 indicates water resistance up to a depth of 1 meter (3 feet) for 30 minutes. A moisture rating of 8 suggests that the device is water resistant at depths of up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) for up to 30 minutes. Finally, a moisture rating of 9 is reserved for products that can withstand high-temperature and high-pressure environments.
Apple Doesn’t Cover Liquid Damage Under Its Warranty
The IP waterproof rating assumes the use of fresh water. Apple tested the iPhone X under controlled laboratory conditions. The company observed water resistance at depths of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. With that being said, Apple specifically advises against submerging your iPhone X in water.
Apple also mentions that splash, dust, and water resistance are temporary conditions. Therefore, iPhone X’s waterproof rating may diminish due to natural wear and tear over the device’s lifetime.
Unfortunately, your iPhone X is not protected for water damage under Apple’s warranty.
You read that correctly: if your iPhone X gets water damage, Apple’s warranty does not cover you for a replacement!
How To Prevent iPhone X Water Damage
To prevent iPhone X water damage from occurring, the best method is avoiding contact with moisture altogether!
Here are a few additional tips for preventing iPhone X water damage:
- Avoid bringing your iPhone X into a sauna.
- If possible, keep your iPhone X in low humidity environments.
- Avoid dropping your iPhone X on the ground. Doing so could accelerate normal wear and tear and compromise your device’s water resistance.
- Avoid disassembling your iPhone X or tampering with its original build. Doing so may compromise the integrity of its water seal.
You can also reduce the risk of liquid damage to your iPhone X by purchasing a waterproof case. Amazon sells a number of IP68-rated iPhone X cases that boast water resistances up to 10 meters (33 feet). These cases also provide the additional benefit of protecting your phone from drops on the ground.
Here are some iPhone X waterproof cases that we recommend for mitigating the risk of water damage:
- Sportlink iPhone X Waterproof Case ($29.99 CAD): This case claims to meet an IP68 rating. The specs suggest that this iPhone case allows for water resistance at 2 meter depths (6.6 feet) for 60 minutes. What’s more, this case comes in a variety of colours for you to choose from!
- AirRunTech iPhone X Phone Pouch ($16.95 CAD): Want to save more and on you waterproof case? If you're looking for a case for the sole purpose of submerging it in water (e.g. for taking underwater photos), you can buy a phone pouch.
What To Do If Your iPhone X Gets Wet:
If your iPhone X gets wet with water, simply wipe it off with a soft cloth. If the liquid is anything other than water, Apple recommends rinsing the affected part of your iPhone with a small amount of tap water before wiping it up.
Next you should dry your iPhone X. To do so, hold the device Lightning-connector-side-down and gently tap it against your hand. This will help shake any excess water out of the device. Place your iPhone X in a dry location (ideally with the Lightning connector exposed to cool air produced by a fan) and leave it there to dry.
Make sure you don’t apply heat to the iPhone X or insert anything into the Lightning connector while drying your device. Let it dry naturally or with cool air.
Also, never attempt to charge your iPhone X if it has recently come into contact with water.
What To Do If Your iPhone X Has Water Damage:
If you’ve followed all of the instructions above and are still left with what you believe is a water damaged iPhone X, don’t panic — you have options!
As mentioned previously, Apple unfortunately does not cover liquid damage under its warranty. So while you can bring your iPhone X to an Apple Store to get it checked, if they conclude that it has water damage then your warranty will not cover the replacement.
Therefore, you’ll have two options:
- Repair your water damaged iPhone X, or;
- Replace your device altogether.
It should be noted that iPhone water damage is usually not repairable. It really depends on the severity of the incident and the dissolved mineral content of the water that came into contact with the phone.
To explore the first option above, we recommend contacting a local cell phone repair shop to get a sense of iPhone X water damage repair costs. However, repair shops generally charge a few hundred dollars to try to repair a water-damaged phone, and because of the complexity of the repair, often cannot even guarantee success
Alternatively, you may consider replacing your device altogether. Naturally, an iPhone replacement is also going to be a steep financial decision.
Unfortunately, Apple has discontinued the sale of brand new iPhone X devices. Therefore, if you want to replace your water damaged iPhone X with a brand new device, your next best option is to buy an iPhone SE 3rd Gen, which retails at $579 CAD at the time of writing (Dec 2024).
If you are not excited about going back to a phone with a home button, you get a refurbished iPhone X from Orchard for a lot less than the iPhone SE 3rd Gen (iPhone X starts at $215 at the time of writing)
Buy iPhone X Refurbished from Orchard:
You can get a high-quality and thoroughly-tested refurbished iPhone X or other used iPhone models from Orchard starting at just $135 CAD. Orchard is Canada’s largest reseller of refurbished iPhones in Canada, and every order includes free Canada-wide shipping and returns, and a risk-free 90-day warranty.
