Are Smartwatches Waterproof or Water-resistant?
Most regular smartwatches are both waterproof and water-resistant allowing the person to wear them no matter if it’s raining or they are under water. However, one would wonder if the same traditional technology on smartwatches is at work in a modern and highly technological smartwatch.
If you have these concerns in mind as you plan to buy a smartwatch, then you definitely have come to the right place! In today’s short but informative blog, I will share with you the specifics of a smartwatch that is either waterproof or water-resistant and provide you with some key factors when you are taking this particular feature as you shop for a smartwatch. So without any further ado, let’s get right into today’s discussion…
What’s the Difference Between Water-Resistant and Waterproof
Some people often mistake water-resistant and waterproof as the same. However, you have to bear in mind that when you see a device is water-resistant, it doesn’t mean that it is waterproof as well. The two factors are different and provide a variety of functionality in the process. Water-resistant is the lowest level of protection which means that it can block water from sipping in a device, but it can eventually push through if it is exposed to water or submerged in water for long.
On the other hand, waterproof is superior to water-resistant and it can be submerged under water for a very long time. For instance, a water-resistant smartwatch means that the casing of the unit is capable of protecting its internal components from sweat and rain, but it won’t be able to prevent water damage if you expose them to rain for a long time nor you can submerge them in water even for a short duration. On the contrary, you don’t have to worry about any water damage if you have a waterproof smartwatch.
IP Rating
You might have seen the description IP rating in the list of specifications of a gadget like a smartwatch or a smartphone. Along with the tag of being water-resistant or waterproof, it comes with an IP (Ingress Protection) rating. If you are wondering what it means, an IP rating indicates the reliability of the unit to withstand water pressure and dust accumulation on the said gadget or electronics. The description often begins with IP and is followed by an X and then a number.
The acronym IP means that the test was conducted by IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission. X and the following serial numbers mean that the device was tested in water. In some cases, the acronym IP is immediately followed by two serial numbers which means that the first number is tested in dust while the second number means that it is tested in water.
ATM Rating
ATM rating is more popularly used in small units such as a wearable like a smartwatch. You have to take note that an ATM rating rating is similar to an IP rating with the only difference being that ATM is often integrated in smaller smart devices. ATM is a shorter description of the atmosphere. With this being said–atmospheres indicate the water pressure the unit can tolerate. There is a variation of ATM rating and your smartwatch can perform when exposed to water depending on the rating it has. The following is a chart of the ATM rating you have to take note of–
- 1 ATM – It means that the unit is only water-resistant, and you have to avoid using it when swimming
- 3 ATM – The smartwatch has protection against heavy rainfall and you can wear it even while you are washing your hands
- 5 ATM – The smartwatch has protection when submerged in water under limited depth. Thus, you can wear the unit in the swimming pool
- 10 ATM – You can wear the smartwatch while swimming on the beach or while snorkeling
- 20 ATM – It is the highest form of protection in a smartwatch, and you can wear the unit at a depth of 200 meters
Conclusion
As you see, some brands of smartwatches also offer some level of protection against exposure to water. However, you have to be conscious of the device’s IP rating or ATM rating depending on what the brand is using as a unit of measurement. And if you are shopping for a smartwatch that is highly resistant to water and dust but you are not sure what to buy due to the number of brands around, then may I recommend to you the huawei watch gt4.
It is equipped with a high rating when it comes to its reliability and tolerance against exposure to water and dust, as a result, you will never have to worry about your unit getting splashed or soaked in water. In addition, you will benefit from its high-performing hardware that ensures a fast and responsive user interface.
Also Read : Process to Withdraw Core Satoshi Easily