How water-resistant is the iPhone 12 Pro Max?

One of the most prominently marketed features of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is its splash, water, and dust resistance. Water resistance is a massive plus for anyone who's ever suffered that sinking feeling from getting their phone wet and realizing it doesn't work anymore.

Apple's focus on water resistance, starting with their marketing campaigns for the iPhone 12 lineup, from Mini to Pro Max models, is no coincidence–losing an expensive phone to water damage is a problem for thousands of people every year. In fact, around 39% of all accidental smartphone damage cases are caused by water damage.

So now that the newest iPhones come with better safeguards against losing your phone to water damage, the next concern is how water-resistant is the iPhone 12 Pro Max? Can it only handle raindrops? How about a drop in a bucket of soapy water? To better understand what real-world wet scenarios the iPhone 12, 13, and 14 lineups of phones can survive, we drilled down to the details of what Apple's claims of "water resistance" means for you.

If you recently bought an iPhone for the first time and were sold in part by the phone’s water-resistant feature, you may be surprised to learn that this isn’t actually a new feature from Apple. In fact, water resistance was first featured on the iPhone with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models. When Apple rolled out the iPhone 7, they marketed the phone as having an IP67 rating under the IEC standard 60529. This rating meant the phone could withstand being submerged in water at a maximum depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes. Essentially, the iPhone 7 could be submerged in something like a hot tub without the jets running, and it would still operate as before. That’s a reasonably high level of protection for people who are prone to dropping their phone in the worst of places.

Keeping your iPhone safe from water damage is essential for maintaining its performance and longevity. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to protect it from water damage. Using a Rugged iPhone case with protective properties, keeping your phone away from bodies of water, and using a lanyard or other device to keep it securely attached to you can all help prevent accidental drops into pools, lakes, or oceans. Taking these measures will ensure that your iPhone remains protected against any unexpected encounters with liquid.

IP, standing for Ingress Protection, is a measure of an enclosure or case’s ability to resist items entering it. The definition of ingress is “the action or fact of going in or entering,” so IP is just a quick way to identify how good something is at keeping other things out, from dust to water.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) set forth an IP certification rating for international reference, and EN 60529 is the subsequent British standard for the same purpose. IP Ratings provide an idea of the degree of protection offered from foreign elements such as dust, dirt, and moisture.

An IP68 water-resistance rating means that the device being tested can at minimum withstand temporary immersion in liquids at a maximum depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes. The iPhone 14 Pro Max water resistant rating is even higher, at 6 meters for 30 minutes, but is still considered IP68 level protection.

Keep in mind, however, that these tests and water protection ratings are carried out under carefully controlled laboratory conditions. For example, in testing, an iPhone is set to standby mode before and during the test. Most iPhone users aren’t taking that step before accidentally getting their phone wet.

It is important always to remember that water-resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. The term waterproof means 100% impenetrable by water, whereas water-resistant means the device can withstand a limited amount of water exposure. Because the iPhone 12 Pro Max is simply water-resistant, NOT waterproof, you won’t be able to take any ocean cliff-diving videos with the phone’s sweet camera. Apple makes it clear that high-velocity water can harm the phone, so high-speed drops into multiple feet of water will almost certainly kill your phone.

Whether you're on a hiking trail, biking through the woods, or just walking around town, your iPhone is vulnerable to drops and other accidents. You need a sturdy and reliable iPhone case to keep your iPhone safe and protected from these adventures on land. A good case will protect against drops, scratches, and dirt while still allowing access to your phone's features. With the right case in hand, you can rest assured that your iPhone will remain safe during your outdoor adventures. The ROKFORM Rugged iPhone case has reinforced corners and enhanced screen and camera protection that absorbs shocks and drops up to 4x better than other cases. It also exceeds Military Grade Drop Test standards, MIL-STD 801G-516.6.

Here are Apple’s official water resistance ratings per model, starting with the first model to offer the feature, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

Further, Apple is sure to include this disclaimer about real-world expectations:

“Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions, and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty.”

So keep in mind, with time, there’s a chance your iPhone won’t be as water-resistant as the day you bought it, and if the phone does stop working correctly as a result of water exposure, EVEN IF within the IP68 specs, your phone won’t be repaired or replaced by Apple for free.

Skipping the facts and data above and just looking for the juicy answer? Well, if you're looking for a waterproof iPhone, you'll need to settle for a water-resistant phone for now. Since liquid damage is not covered under warranty, according to Apple, it's best to leave the testing and technology advancements to them, and invest in a secure phone mount for times you're around water. While accidents happen, you have about 30 minutes to retrieve a water-resistant iPhone if it's not too deep.

The following is the official verbiage from Apple on what to do if your iPhone is exposed to water or other liquids:

• If a liquid other than water splashes on your iPhone, rinse the affected area with tap water.
• Wipe your iPhone off with a soft, lint-free cloth—for example, a lens cloth.
• Make sure that your iPhone is dry before opening the SIM tray.
• To dry your iPhone, tap it gently against your hand with the Lightning connector facing down to remove excess liquid.
• Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some airflow.
• Placing your iPhone in front of a fan blowing cool air directly into the Lightning connector might help the drying process.
• Don't dry your iPhone using an external heat source or insert a foreign object, such as a cotton swab or a paper towel, into the Lightning connector.
• Unplug all cables and do not charge your device until it’s completely dry.
• Using accessories or charging when wet might damage your iPhone.
• Allow at least 5 hours before charging with a Lightning cable or connecting a Lightning accessory.

Water damage can be a nightmare for any iPhone user. It can cause permanent damage to the device and render it unusable. To protect your phone from water damage, it is important to take the right precautions. Common mistakes people make when trying to protect their phones from water damage include not using a protective phone case or mount. Taking these steps will help ensure that your phone doesn't suffer any permanent water damage if it gets wet.

Whether you are riding a bicycle, motorcycle or any other vehicle, having your phone mounted securely is essential for safety and convenience. A ROKFORM phone bike mount will keep your iPhone in sight so that you can easily access all the features of your device such as GPS navigation, trail maps, music playback, and more.

Keeping your phone in your pocket while you ride is a risk. Why take the chance? The Rokform Pro Series V-4 iPhone and Galaxy Bicycle Phone Mount keeps your device secure with a dual retention lock system featuring our easy-to-use RokLock Twist-Lock and magnetic technology. We even include a heavy-duty Rokform lanyard to wrap around your bike mount for extra assurance.

These days we keep our phones on us 24/7, which means that phones get broken and damaged far more often than they used to. That's why heavy-duty protection is more of a necessity than ever before. ROKFORM's cover for iPhone is designed to ensure your phone's protection no matter what you do! From motorcycle rides to poolside vacations, a ROKFORM product is sturdy, durable, and assures protection that will stand the test of time.

ROKFORM has become the go-to name brand for hard-working people seeking reliability, functionality, and durability from their phone cases. Our extra-strength magnets provide a hands-free connection to any magnet surface.

We have all experienced the fear of dropping our phone, the dread that comes with a smashed screen, or a smartphone that has fallen into the water. Unfortunately, using smartphones daily means that accidents like these are inevitable and that protection is crucial. ROKFORM's integrated magnets and magnetic phone mounts will keep your phone secure when you have other things to hold onto. 

ROKFORM is premium handheld innovation made for those who take action seriously. Our products are designed in California, inspired by necessity and first-hand experience, built to last, backed by real people, and engineered by an experienced team.

Whether you're looking for a premium phone case, versatile mounting system, or functional accessories, ROKFORM has you covered! Visit our showroom in Irvine, California, or contact our 5-star support team with any questions, comments, or concerns.