Is Your iPhone Really Waterproof? From iPhone 7 to 11

June 11, 2019 1 Comment

When you're two days in on a 10-day expedition and the weather report calls for a week of rain, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your iPhone will make it to the end of the day, much less the end of the trip. And even if you manage to keep it away from the elements, packed away in your bag and only used during safe slowdowns in the adventure when you get home you'll have a handful of shots sitting around before and after all the stuff that happened, but you'll have missed everything.  

Here at Hitcase, we want to give you the confidence to have a phone in hand at all times, no matter the weather or terrain, so you don't miss the chance to document those special moments that'll have you fumbling in your backpack as you race to keep up. Whether it's rain, sleet or snow, or even a trip down a river or to the lake or beach, Hitcase has you covered with protective and waterproof iPhone X cases for your iPhone X or whatever iPhone you happen to own. 

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Is the iPhone 7 Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

Until the iPhone 7, water resistance was something you'd more likely find on your watch than the computer and camera in your pocket. But in 2016, Apple billed its upcoming new device as "water-resistant," a first for the iPhone. Apple claimed they had re-engineered the seals, adhesives, and casing of the new iPhone 7, which gave the device an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. While the rating meant that the new iPhone 7 could be submerged in up to a meter of water for up to 30 minutes, it was hardly a robust or permanent waterproof solution. 

 

For starters, Apple won't cover water damage under the phone's warranty, and any water protection the phone had out of the box would gradually deteriorate over time. What's worse, Apple provided no timetable or events that could damage the phone's protective qualities, leaving users with no recourse or even knowledge of if and when water would be a risk. Sure, out of the box you could dunk it in a toilet or get caught in the rain (maybe?), but try the same a few weeks or a few months later and you'd be risking your device.  

 

We say, why leave waterproof protection up to chance when you can be sure with a Hitcase? The Hitcase Pro, Shield, Shield Link, and Splash are great waterproof options for the iPhone 7 and are also great waterproof iPhone X cases if you have a newer device. You can get up to a dizzying 33 feet of waterproof protection with the Hitcase Pro, or a solid 10 feet of water protection with the Shield, Shield Link, and Splash. 

 

Is the iPhone 8 Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

Introduced in 2017, the iPhone 8 continues the iPhone 7's water resistance capabilities with an IP67 rating under IEC standard 60529. This means that the iPhone 8, like the iPhone 7 before it, could withstand a short immersion in the tub or in a quick rain, but anything more substantial than the lightest water exposure could compromise the device. And, like the iPhone 7, the device's magical water-resistant capabilities would fade under normal wear and tear, and Apple again gave no guidelines as to when users may expect this out-of-the-box protection to have abandoned them. 

 

What's worse is that the water resistance claims were not backed by any specific guarantee, and Apple still won't cover water damage under warranty, leaving consumers with a confusing water protection capability that may or may not work and that Apple itself admits is less effective as time passes. 

 

So if you've ever wondered about your phone's supposed "waterproof" capabilities, consider a real waterproof iPhone 8 case. None of this pseudo waterproof stuff. With a Hitcase Pro, Shield, Shield Link or Splash, you can get up to 33 feet of waterproof protection (Pro only), so even a deep snorkeling adventure or light scuba excursion is no problem at all. Even if you opt for 10 feet of IP68 waterproof protection with the Shield, Shield Link or Splash, you're covered for just about anything that comes your way in a case that's far more robust than your naked iPhone. 

 

Is the iPhone X Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

Launched along with the iPhone 8 in 2017, the iPhone X carries the same IP67 water resistance rating as the iPhone 7 and 8, with all the wishy-washy language and empty promises, to boot. Like the iPhone 7 and 8, you get one meter of water-resistant protection that eventually wears off with normal use. The timeline, and what buyers can expect from the phone's built-in protection, is conspicuously absent from any documentation, and Apple takes it one step further by stating that water damage is not covered by warranty. 

So if you're looking for a waterproof iPhone X case, look no further than Hitcase. With the Hitcase Pro, Shield Link and Splash, you can get up to a staggering 33 feet of waterproof protection, turning your next water adventure or downpour into a photo opportunity, not something to hide from. And with our iPhone Lens Kit, you get three additional creative opportunities you don't get with a stock iPhone. So pick up an iPhone X waterproof case today and stop hiding indoors with your phone. 

 

Is the iPhone XR Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

Like the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 7, the iPhone XR comes standard with a bit of water resistance and lots of empty promises. Out of the box, it sports an IP67 water rating that, as far as we can tell, gets you one water interaction shortly after you unbox your new device. If any time has passed and you've, you know, used your phone at all, Apple says that the water resistance is not permanent and may wear away at any time. They do, however, add that the XR is resistant to soda, beer, coffee, tea, and juice spills, marking a new threshold for iPhone liquid interactions. 

 

At Hitcase, we say that's not good enough. Our phones aren't meant to be set aside for a sunny day or only used in dry, comfortable environments such as exotic places like your living room or the office. Our cases can follow you to the ends of the earth, look great doing it, and, most importantly, keep your device safe and sound while you explore and document it all. 

 

For the best in waterproof protection, there's only one iPhone XR waterproof case to consider: the Hitcase Splash. With 10 feet of IP68 protection and head-height drop protection, the Hitcase Splash is the iPhone XR's BFF and goes anywhere you and your phone go. 

 

Is the iPhone XS Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

With the iPhone XS, Apple upgraded the native IP67 water resistant rating to IP68 under IEC standard 60529, which doubled the phone's ability to be submerged in water up of to two meters. However, like all iPhones prior, Apple does not guarantee the waterproof capabilities of the iPhone XS and admits that normal wear may leave your phone unprotected from water, splash and dust damage. And Apple also won't cover any water damage under warranty, so if you drop it in the toilet five minutes after unboxing, you may be taking a trip back to the Apple Store for a new phone. 

 

That's why here at Hitcase we make cases for the ordinary and unordinary adventures in life -- because you never know when you'll inadvertently be caught in the rain or take a dip in the pool, or if a bumbling mishap in the restroom sends your phone into the sink or toilet. With three options for the iPhone XS, including our flagship iPhone XS waterproof case, the Hitcase Pro, you have several ways to protect your new iPhone XS. Go with the Pro for up to 33 feet of waterproof protection, or scale it back for 10 feet of waterproof protection with the Shield Link or Hitcase Splash. 

 

Is the iPhone XS Max Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

Like the iPhone XS and iPhone XR, Apple says the iPhone XS Max is resistant to soda, beer, coffee, tea, and juice spills, and that it can withstand submersion in two meters of water for up to 30 minutes. But if you read Apple's warnings about liquid damage, they say never to submerge the iPhone XS Max in water or to expose it to pressurized water such as when water skiing, wakeboarding or surfing -- or even showering. 

 

So whether or not the iPhone XS Max is actually water resistant, Apple certainly doesn't want you to use the phone around or -- gasp! -- in any water. We're calling their bluff, because even if you do need to rely on your phone's IP68 rating, Apple won't cover any water damage under warranty, so you'll be buying a new phone on your way home from your most recent wet and wild adventure, not sharing your images on Insta. 

 

If you have an iPhone XS Max, there's a Hitcase for you. Made from machined aluminum and bulletproof glass, the Hitcase Pro provides up to 33 feet of waterproof protection and up to 16 feet of drop protection, all in a MIL-SPEC Shock rated case that's as good underwater as it is on land or in the mountains. Your other option is the Hitcase Splash, a slim and soft case with a comfortable DuroSoft TPU exterior that gives up to 10 feet of waterproof protection and six feet of drop protection so you can go about doing the things you love in the water and out -- all with the peace of mind that only a Hitcase can give you. 

 

Is the iPhone 11 Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

In September 2019, Apple presented the iPhone 11 and took our adventure photography dreams to the next level. With this 2019 model, they introduced a dual-lens camera, an ultra wide-angle camera and a much-needed Night Mode.

But don’t be fooled by the phone’s IP68 water-resistant rating. Apple claims that this rating allows owners to submerge their device in 4 metres of water for up to 30 minutes. But we can’t forget about the fine print. Warnings state that this resistance is not permanent and might decrease at some inconveniently unknown point in the future. Plus, any damage caused by liquids is not covered under warranty. In other words, the risk is all on you.

So do you play it safe and stay inside? Maybe you’ll find that the exciting new camera features work wonders in your poorly lit library. Sadly, books are fascinating; pictures of books...not so much. We suggest you get yourself a Hitcase PRO Protective Case and get out there. This case comes with 33 feet of actual waterproof protection. Go ahead, chase that waterfall while keeping your phone dry and your Instagram scroll-stopping.

Apple designs industry-leading devices; we design industry-leading device protection.

Find the Right Waterproof Hitcase for You 

 

We want to give you the confidence to have a phone in hand at all times, no matter the weather or terrain, so you don't miss the chance to document those special moments. Which is why we wanted to let you know whether or not your iPhone is waterproof. We also wanted to let know what you can do to prevent that phone from meeting an untimely demise. So, whether you're buying your first waterproof iPhone X case, or you're in the market for a waterproof case for your iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or iPhone 7 or 8, you can find it all right here with Hitcase. Grab a Hitcase today, and get into adventure tomorrow! 

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