Manufacturers have finally learned how to make rugged smartphones that look modern, not like small tanks. But how secure are these gadgets in reality?
An active lifestyle is becoming more and more popular. Manufacturers of mobile electronics "caught" this trend in time - and began to regularly replenish their catalogs with smartphones protected according to one or another standard. Even Apple, which is dismissive of "foreign" technologies and ideas, had to give in - starting from the 7th generation, iPhones have been produced waterproof.
However, when it comes to a smartphone, secure does not mean invulnerable. Smartphone security levels vary. The ability to decipher the marking of the standard by which the gadget is protected will allow you to quickly understand what is allowed to do with a smartphone and what is not. And if you don’t already know how, we will definitely teach you!
Ingress Protection Rating (IP) – what is it?
The vast majority of secure smartphones are labeled in the IP(XX) format, with 2 digits instead of X's. These figures just indicate the degree of security of the mobile device. No manufacturer has the right to place an IP marking on their product unless the product itself has passed a series of tests.
The IP rating (Ingress Protection Rating) is the brainchild of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC, aka IEC), a non-profit and independent organization that standardizes electrical technologies and devices (including smartphones).
Products that have been assigned one of the IP protection classes comply with the international standard IEC 60529, as well as German DIN 40050 and Russian GOST 14254.
How to decipher the IP marking?
The code is deciphered very simply. The first digit indicates the degree of protection against penetration into the body of solid objects - including dust and sand. The maximum value is 6.
|
code |
The diameter of solid items, from which the smartphone is protected |
protected From penetration |
|
IP0x |
- |
Not protected |
|
IP1x |
> 50 mm |
of large items (for example, body parts) |
|
IP2x |
> 12.5 mm |
Medium on dimensions of items (fingers) |
|
IP3x |
> 2.5 mm |
small items (cables, wires) |
|
IP4X |
> 1 mm |
very small items (nuts, bolts) |
|
ip5x |
dust-proof (partially) |
The minimum amount of dust may fall under the case, but it is not able to derive a gadget |
|
IP6X |
dust-proof (completely) |
Dust in any quantity can not get inside the housing |
The second digit of the code indicates the degree of moisture protection. Maximum - 8.
|
code |
is protected from |
|
IPX0 |
Not protected |
|
ipx1 |
drops falling on the device from above |
|
ipx2 |
vertical droplets falling on the device, housing which is deflected by 15 ° |
|
IPX3 |
rain and splashes that fall on the body at an angle of 60 ° and less |
|
of any spray (the angle does not play the roles) | |
|
IPX5 |
water jets of small intensity (angle does not play roles) |
|
IPX6 |
of powerful jets and seawater |
|
ipx7 |
water With short-term immersion (a few minutes). Depth - up to 1 m. It is impossible to work on the smartphone under water. |
|
IPX8 |
water during immersion for 30 minutes. Depth - more than 1 meter. Work on the smartphone under water is permissible. |
As an example, an old push button Fichpone Nokia 3720 CLASSIC. It is protected in accordance with IP54 Protection Standard. According to the encoding, it can be understood that he is not afraid of any spray and the dusty storm will probably worry. However, the likelihood that the gaps in the housing will sooner or later be clogged with sand and dust, there is still.
Some of the IP designations seem quite absurd - especially for dustproofs. Who will come to mind to call a protected smartphone, in which the finger can not put?
Based on the general classification, any gadget is entitled to boast the level of protection by the minimum IP3X, because in order to penetrate the body in a 2.5 mm diameter, the slots between the elements should be giant, and the assembly of the phone is monstrous.
The user is important to know more about some rules for compiling the code and assignment of the IP protection class:
- if in marking instead of one From the numbers stands "Cross" (for example, IPX8), this does not mean that the smartphone "nor on iota" is not protected from dust or from moisture. Just the gadget did not pass on the specific level of protection. It is important to understand that if the smartphone is able to withstand the dive under the water, then the dust is likely to him.
- High level of moisture protection is not evidence that the smartphone corresponds to less than high standards. That is, the device can withstand dive under water (IPX7), but a jet from the hose (IPX6) will disable it.
- Levels of protection below IP54 are not used by mobile manufacturers and are not figured in characteristics. If you are interested in why they are needed at all, remember that IP marking is relevant not only for mobile technology. For example, electrical sockets are protected according to IP22, and in this case, protection against penetration inside the fingers does not look absurd.
Is IP69?
The IP69 protection class exists, but at the beginning of 2018, no smartphone corresponds to him. Such a level of protection can boast vehicles (such as concrete mixers), as well as facilities of the food and chemical industry. Objects corresponding to IP69 are able to withstand high-temperature sink under pressure.
There is no doubt that over time, mobile manufacturers will also have an IP69 class. Insiders Mightwall "Dran", which Samsung Galaxy Note 8 can get protected from hot water, but made a mistake. Perhaps the following flagship from Samsung can be watered with boiling water from the hose?
On Army Standard MIL-STD-810G
MIL-STD-810 - US military standard. The current version of the standard for 2018 is the MIL-STD-810G - this version differs from the previous one that involves testing tests in the conditions as close as possible to real.
Only aware of the number of devices can boast of compliance with the MIL-STD-810 standard. And not surprising: the gadget must pass the tests, compared to which the tests IP68 - "Children's Badge". Here are just some of the methods of verification:
- Heat strike (method 503.5). There is an increase in the temperature of the medium in which the phone is located, from -51 ° to + 70 ° in just a minute. The device must withstand 3 thermal blows in a row while in the off state.
- Pressure (method 500.5). The device calmly maintains pressure, staying at an altitude of 4,500 meters in working condition and 12,000 meters turned off.
- Mechanical Strike (method 516.6). Being included, the product must withstand 20 Newtons per kilogram, and in the off state - all 40.
Compliance with the MIL STD-810G is a mandatory equipment requirement that the US Army purchases for its needs.
It is silly to count that the manufacturer will create a smartphone capable of passing the most brutal tests in order to sell it later for $ 200. Therefore, finding the cheap "Chinese" on the showcase, which, judging by the information on the price tag, is protected according to the MIL-STD-810G standard, it is worth considering this with a fairing fraction of skepticism. One of the most accessible devices corresponding to the MIL-STD-810G is Ruggear RG500 SWIFT Pro, which on the official website of the manufacturer costs about 20 thousand rubles.
Is it worth experiencing protected smartphones at home?
Laboratory conditions in which tests of gadgets are made, differ significantly from the actual conditions. Therefore, users are not recommended to experience protected smartphones on their own - for example, dried in their own bath or take with them to the bath.
Waterproof testing occurs with the use of exclusively fresh water. And if fresh water is not able to withdraw a smartphone in order, this does not mean that from chlorinated and salty marine it is also protected.
in This article explained: the liquid is the more dangerous for the mobile device, the lower the level of acidity (pH). In the laboratories on smartphones do not pour mineral water and coca-cola, the pH indicator is twice as low as freshwater. Therefore, the user cannot be sure that after contact with these liquids, as well as with juices and vinegar, the protected apparatus will remain good and will function 100%.
There are some more important facts about waterproof, about which, alas, many owners of protected devices do not know:
- If the phone fell In the water, it is necessary to dry it before further use - despite the protection class and protection. It is impossible, as shown in commercials, just get the device from the water and continue to use it anything happened - the microphone and speaker will not work properly.
- Natural wear contributes to a decrease in moisture protection - with time the gadget is becoming more and more vulnerable.
- IP68, IP67 or lower waterproof rating will not save the machine if it is immersed in hot liquid.
Conclusion
The fact that a smartphone is IP68 does not save the user from having to carefully to treat him. The fact is that if an unsinkable smartphone still manages to be drowned, the seller will not return the money for it to the buyer. And if, due to mechanical impact, a crack appears on the screen under the protected glass, you should not apply for a return or exchange. It is enough to read legal forums to see how many disputes arise about this. The sellers answer that the case is not guaranteed, because the breakdown of the protected smartphone is the result of the user's carelessness - and they are right.
The presence of the IP68 marking indicates that the smartphone has more chances in harsh conditions than unprotected counterparts. However, the degree of protection should not be taken as evidence that the gadget is completely invulnerable.
