Smartphones have become a staple part of modern living to the point that people bring and use their phones anywhere, upping the risk of being exposed to different elements, and with consumers expecting their devices to survive such situations.
Most flagship phones in the past few years provided users with peace of mind in this regard, but with some exceptions. Unfortunately, the Google Pixel smartphones are one of these exceptions.
With an IP53 rating, the Google Pixel phones do not have any special water proof or resistance capabilities. For reference, the same can be said for the HTC 10 with its IP53 rating. Hence, both were not marketed as water-resistant.
Undeniably, the Google Pixel devices are one of the impressive ones sold this year, both aesthetically and specifications-wise. And while Google has confirmed that its flagship smartphones have an IP53 dust and water resistance rating, it really does not mean much.
IP53 Rating
So what exactly does an IP53 rating mean?
Basically, the first digit stands for the device's ability to resist dust and the second stands for water resistance. The 5 in this rating depicts that Google Pixel is resistant to majority of dust particles although it is not capable of keeping every dust particle out. An IPX3 rating is a low one for water resistance as it only provides security against jets of liquid or fine water particles from a pressurized container or atomizer.
This essentially means the Google Pixel smartphones can handle minor spills and slight rain, and can be kept in humid environments like a clammy pocket sans damages.
How Does It Compare With Others
Many decent water resistant smartphones usually have ratings of at least IPX5. In fact, many of today's flagship devices and some mid-range ones even go higher than an IPX7, the highest being an IPX8 rating.
These phones normally can survive underwater submersion for up to 1 meter and for 30 minutes at max, like Apple's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus as well as Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.
Although this could be a minor drawback for some consumers, it could be a key disappointment for those expecting a premium device from a renowned company that the phones are unable to withstand harsher environments especially at a $649 and $699 price point.
Is The Pixel Out Of The Game?
As many users stated, the IP53 rating does not really mean a lot and does not compare with the likes of the Galaxy S7 and the iPhone 7 devices. Nevertheless, it looks like the Pixel might just be able to survive more than the rating claims.
A YouTube user named Harris Craycraft has just posted a video wherein he daringly tested the Pixel's water resistance in diverse scenarios. Surprisingly, the device managed to hold up pretty well.
The first trial kept the device face up, not fully submerged, in a shallow puddle followed by being sprayed with water. Both tests proved the IP53 rating on the Pixel to be relatively true as the phone held up as expected.
The final test, on the other hand, made things quite exciting. Here, the Pixel was submerged completely underwater for an entire 30-minute timeframe. And it survived! Craycraft reported the speaker and charging port still worked just fine.
Despite this test not proving that much, it still is good knowing that the Pixel can handle water when necessary. On the brighter side, the phone has other features that make it remarkable.
