OnePlus’ flagships this year come with impressive IP68 water and dust protection, which is on par with Apple’s iPhone 12 and Samsung’s Galaxy S21 series.
Despite this, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau doesn’t market the feature. Instead, he says the phone’s durability and higher quality earned it an IP rating.
What is the IP Rating?
The IP rating, or ingress protection, measures a device’s water- and dust-resistant. The OnePlus 9 Pro is rated at IP68, meaning it can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for half an hour without damage.
The test is done in labs, so it’s different from using public water or the sea because the chemicals are controlled, and salty water can affect results. This is why manufacturers don’t advertise their IP ratings, and water damage isn’t covered under warranty unless you mention it in your confirmation.
Pete Lau, OnePlus’ co-founder, and CEO, recently admitted that the company didn’t offer IP ratings for its phones before because they cost money to get certified. He says that a company’s profit margin will suffer when it passes on the extra cost to consumers, so it is wise for them to avoid it.
Does the OnePlus 9 Pro Have a Waterproof Rating?
The OnePlus 9 Pro is a top-notch premium smartphone with excellent performance, intelligent software, and an improved camera experience. It also has an impeccable display, a longer battery life, and fast charging capabilities that many users will appreciate.
While most smartphones don’t have a waterproof rating, OnePlus offers the feature on its flagship. However, the company doesn’t advertise it.
IP ratings are a standard that smartphone makers must adhere to to ensure their devices don’t break down when exposed to water or other hazards. They’re calculated by the International Electrotechnical Commission and are based on specific testing conditions that vary from person to person.
The OnePlus 9 Pro was awarded an IP68 rating, which means it can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes. The device is also dust-tight, though it won’t be as good at resisting dirt and sand as a phone with an IP53 or an IP54 rating.
Is the OnePlus 9 Pro Waterproof?
OnePlus has excited its nine series as some of the best phones ever produced, with excellent 120Hz AMOLED displays, Hasselblad-branded cameras, and a top-tier Snapdragon 888 SoC. But one feature that the company doesn’t push for in its advertising is water resistance.
Interestingly, OnePlus co-founder Pete Lau recently revealed that the company had stopped marketing the OnePlus 9 Pro’s water resistance due to “lab testing conditions that are very different from real-world situations.”
While it may not seem like an important factor, waterproofing a phone is essential for people who take their devices on long camping trips or scuba diving adventures. If you decide to immerse your OnePlus 9 in water, we recommend putting it in a case to help prevent damage.
Is the OnePlus 9 Pro Waterproof on T-Mobile?
When buying a new phone, one of the first things you’ll want to look for is water resistance. That’s because if you drop your device in a pool of water, you want to ensure that it won’t be damaged.
However, it’s not always easy to tell if a device will withstand being submerged in water or come out unscathed from such an incident. That’s where IP ratings (the letters “IP” followed by a number) come in handy.
The OnePlus 9 Pro is certified to be waterproof by British international standards. This means it can withstand up to 1.5 meters of water submersion for 30 minutes without a problem.
