- The new Nokia XR21 smartphone comes with this IP rating.
- IP rating highlights the level of water and dustproof offered by the device
- Nokia XR21 gets the highest available IP rating for ruggedness
Most of you know that hardware devices with some level of durability have an Ingress Protection or IP rating. Nokia launched the Nokia XR21 this week which has an IP69K rating, claimed to be the highest level of IP rating in the industry. Over the years we have seen brands like Samsung, Google, and even Apple offer IP68 ratings for their phones, which makes them dust and water-resistant to some level. And for the longest time, it was considered as the benchmark for durability.
But with IP69K, the levels of durability go to another level and that’s what the Nokia XR21 promises. Over here we are doing in-depth into the origin of the IP69K rating, what it offers in terms of durability and how it compares with the other IP ratings that we have seen in the market.
What Is IP69K Rating?
IP69K rating is the highest available protection rank for devices in the market. Going by the figures given, the number 6 in the rating talks about how dustproof the phone is, which is the highest rating possible. The technical definition says this number has no ingress of dust and complete protection against contact (dust-tight). A vacuum must be applied.
Similarly, the number 9 highlights the product’s ability to withstand water at any pressure. With these two numbers in its wing, IP69 protects against close-range high-pressure, high-temperature spray downs. In simple terms, this rating offers the best level of water and dust proofing which the Nokia XR21 smartphone features.
But that’s not all, you see the alphabet ‘K’ in the rating, which tells you the device will be protected from high-pressure jets. In simple words, the Nokia XR21 is built to withstand high temperatures, rough usage and washdown pressure up to 1,450 PSI which is a lot. And yes, the phone is completely dustproof.
How Does IP69K Rating Work?
Devices with this level of protection are generally used in sectors like food and processing, chemical manufacturing and petrochemical plants among others. No brand has opted for an IP69K rating on a smartphone before the Nokia XR21 launched in the market. Even though people crave some level of durability for their phones, nobody has really demanded this level of ruggedness before this.
This device can be your ideal companion for outdoor treks or any intensive indoor activity. IP69K rating allows the phone to survive drops, dust, and water submission and withstand extreme temperatures without melting down. Since the phone can handle wear and tear, experts opine that while the phones with an IP69K rating do cost more than usual, the lack of frequent repair work needed ensures that the cost of ownership evens out over time.
Nokia has decided to put the Nokia XR21 through the most rigorous IP testing, which is not only complex but expensive as well. And it is likely that the high cost of getting tested for the IP69K rating has invariably jacked up the final price of the product as well.