What makes a device "Water Resistant"?

You’ve seen the headlines all around the Internet, “IP68 Waterproof” and “Splash proof.”  But do you really know what these ratings mean? Last month of 2018, Apple released their latest smartphone, the iPhone 11 Pro Max. It is a phone with a wide range of new features that was released on Apple’s 10th anniversary of the original iPhone back in 2007. One of these features happens to be its IP68 waterproof rating, which is an improvement over their previous models.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max may be water-resistant

The 11 Pro Max is water-resistant up to 2 meters for up to 30 minutes, which means it'll survive that accidental drop into the pool or a splash from the sink. A few quick notes on the iPhone 11 Pro Max's water resistance: It can't go deeper than 2 meters (roughly 6 1/2 feet). You can take it out of the water at any time. It doesn't need to be kept in a pressurized environment like you would with other waterproof phones like the Galaxy S9. Take care when using your iPhone 11 Pro Max in the rain or if it's hot out because this will impact the performance of its water resistance. Electronics are essentially just small bags of saltwater, so resistive touchscreens and circuit boards get corroded easily when they're wet. They also don't usually play nicely with other liquids like coffee, soda, and alcohol.

What the IP68 Rating Meant to Me Section: Apple's support document on this rating

The IP68 rating is great news, but the details matter. What does this really mean for you? Let's take a look at Apple's own definitions of the device's water resistance: Immersion: You can immerse iPhone 11 Pro Max in water up to 2 meters for up to 30 minutes. The phone is tested in fresh water at a maximum depth of 2 meters. If you drop it in saltwater, rinse it off with fresh water and then dry it off before turning it on. If you use iPhone 11 Pro Max underwater, the sound coming through the speakers may be distorted. Don't use your device underwater unless it is in a waterproof enclosure designed for underwater use.

Just because your phone is Water Resistant doesn't mean its Waterproof

In the end, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is definitely still Water Resistant, and not Waterproof. However, if you are careful to keep your phone dry, it will likely be able to withstand most of what mother nature has to offer. Just remember that this is a relative advantage, meaning you need to weigh its protective power against your own individual needs when deciding whether to upgrade or not.