The newly announced HTC 10 is much like most smartphones on the market in that it is not water resistant, it does have some form of protection, an HTC executive revealed on Twitter Tuesday. According to HTC Senior Communications Manager, Jeff Gordon, the HTC 10 has a IP53 rating, which means the handset has a general protection from the elements and can handle a vertical water spray at up to 60 degrees.
@aleloverso IP53.
— Jeff Gordon (@urbanstrata) April 12, 2016
The Ingress protection rating denote dust protection (first digit, 5) and water resistance (second digit, 3). See the exact definitions below.
5: Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete protection against contact.
3: Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect.
So users will want to keep the HTC 10 away from water, but it may fare well in an accident.
HTC’s AVP of product planning, Nigel Newby-House told reporters at a briefing prior to the HTC 10 launch that water resistence wasn’t a big focus on the engineering of the HTC 10.
“It’s nice to know that your camera might be fully submersible, but we kind of counter that with a free insurance policy,” Newby-House said. “The end result is likely the same that you’ll end up with a new and highly useable phone, whatever happens to it in the first 12 months.
The HTC 10 is currently available for preorder for $699. The device is expected to ship in May.
