Apple’s first foldable iPhone, iPhone Duo, features an IP68 rating for splash, water, and dust resistance, giving it a notable durability advantage over some competing foldable smartphones.

Apple unveiled iPhone Duo on September 9, introducing a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer display in a foldable design. Alongside its new hinge and dual-display form factor, Apple has placed significant emphasis on durability.

iPhone Duo Features an IP68 Rating

According to Apple, iPhone Duo is rated IP68 under IEC standard 60529, with testing conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Apple specifies a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.

The IP68 rating means iPhone Duo is designed to provide a high level of protection against dust and water exposure. This is particularly notable for a foldable smartphone, where the hinge and flexible display introduce additional engineering challenges.

Apple says iPhone Duo is crafted from Grade 5 titanium and features Ceramic Shield on the back and Ceramic Shield 2 on the outer display. The precision hinge contains more than 100 components and is designed to precisely control the opening and closing motion.

The inner display also uses multiple protective layers, including a scratch-resistant coating, a nano-textured cover layer, high-strength glass, custom adhesives, and a titanium plate designed to improve durability.

How Does iPhone Duo Compare With Other Foldables?

Durability has become an important consideration as foldable smartphones become more common.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 carries an IP48 rating. While it provides water resistance, its IP4X dust-protection rating is lower than the IP6X level included in iPhone Duo’s IP68 rating. Samsung specifies that the Fold8 can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes under laboratory conditions.

Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold also carries an IP68 rating for dust and water protection, putting it on the same IP rating level as iPhone Duo for these specific types of resistance. Google notes that its IP68 rating is based on testing under IEC standard 60529.

This makes iPhone Duo one of the first foldable smartphones from a major manufacturer to combine a foldable design with an IP68 rating. Its dust-protection rating is also higher than that of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8.

IP68 Does Not Mean Waterproof

An IP68 rating should not be interpreted as making iPhone Duo completely waterproof.

Apple states that splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and may decrease as a result of normal wear. Apple also advises users not to charge a wet iPhone and notes that liquid damage is not covered under warranty.

The 6-meter, 30-minute specification represents controlled laboratory testing rather than a recommendation for underwater use in everyday situations.

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iPhone Duo marks Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market, and its IP68 rating addresses one of the key concerns surrounding foldable devices: protection against dust and water.

While IP68 does not make a foldable iPhone waterproof, combining dust and water resistance with a Grade 5 titanium enclosure, reinforced internal structure, and a precision hinge gives iPhone Duo a strong durability profile on paper.

For users considering Apple’s first foldable iPhone, durability will be an important factor alongside display quality, battery life, camera performance, and the overall iOS experience.

Sources: Apple Newsroom; Apple Technical Specifications; Samsung; Google.