Google’s upcoming phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL will be IP53 certified. What exactly does this mean? Well, according to the IP codes, the two numbers each represent a form of resistance.
In this case, 5 and 3. The 5 means that the phones will be dust protected (NOT dust proof). It indicates that phone’s design prevents dust from getting into the phone to cause harm. A totally dust resistant device will be certified with an IP6X rating, which the Pixel devices are not.
The 3 on the other hand is related to liquid ingress protection. This one’s a bit more complicated actually. IP X7 and IP X8 (IP 67 and 68 usually), are the ones which are water resistant, meaning if the devices fall into water (immersion), they can survive the pressure for a while.
IPX3 on the other hand is just spray resistant think holding the phone when you are outside during a rain. This means that it’s not even splash proof. Imagine spilling some water on the device when it is on table or desk, it doesn’t guarantee the phone will work after this.
The HTC 10 is actually IP53 certified, and Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL are manufactured by the same company. Do you notice a pattern here?
The Apple iPhone is IP67 certified, while the Samsung Galaxy S7 is IP68 certified, so both can tolerate dust and being dropped or immersed in water and still function normally.
So, a Pixel phone which will reportedly cost $649, which is what the iPhone 7 and the Galaxy S7 are available for, is neither water resistant or dust resistant. What exactly justifies the high price tag of the Pixel phones anyway?
via: Android Police
