Is your phone still waterproof after repair? What IP68 is worth on a refurbished device
3 min read
Nearly every refurbished smartphone listing carries an IP68 line. It still doesn't tell you whether a phone is waterproof after repair. It repeats the manufacturer's figure for the model when new. About the unit you're about to buy, it says nothing.
IP68 was never a promise about water
Even a brand-new iPhone's warranty doesn't cover liquid damage. Samsung says itself a Galaxy's water resistance is "not permanent" and fades with normal wear and tear.
The second digit? Under IEC 60529 it fixes neither depth nor duration, only conditions the manufacturer specifies. Samsung's figure for the Galaxy S24: 1,5 m of fresh water for 30 minutes, only with intact seals.
What a repair does to the seal
Opening the housing tears the adhesive seal. Per iFixit, a careful reseal doesn't guarantee the rating returns. Refurbished condition grades describe cosmetics; about the seal, they say nothing.
What the sellers themselves say (as of 13/08/2026)
Refurbed is the blunt one. Its own FAQ, published in German, says plainly that IPxx certifications "can no longer be guaranteed" after refurbishing, and are excluded from the warranty terms.
Back Market is just as direct: its help section explicitly denies devices are guaranteed waterproof. At rebuy and asgoodasnew, water damage is excluded, and neither mentions a fresh IP68 check. What the warranty covers is in our guide to warranties on refurbished devices.
What to look for in a listing
You can't inspect the seal yourself, and a home water test is out of the question. That leaves the condition report. A replaced screen or a new battery means the housing was open. Nothing listed? Ask before you buy.
Two listings at asgoodasnew, grade "sehr gut", as of 13/08/2026: [product:36943465764] at 579,00 EUR and [product:40487776256] at 389,00 EUR. Whether either was opened isn't in the line; the condition report is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a refurbished phone still waterproof after a repair?
Not guaranteed: opening breaks the factory seal, and a reseal isn't a fresh certification. No seller promises to re-test it. Assume the protection is gone.
Does the warranty cover water damage on refurbished devices?
Generally not. Refurbed excludes IP certifications from its warranty; rebuy and asgoodasnew list water damage as an exclusion (as of 13/08/2026). Even new devices never had liquid-damage cover.
What is the difference between IP68 and IPX7?
The X means dust protection wasn't tested; the 7 is brief immersion, the 8 continuous under manufacturer-defined conditions. IP68 doesn't automatically mean a set depth.
Can I check the seal myself?
No. A seal can't be judged from outside, and testing it risks the exact damage no warranty covers. The reliable answer sits in the condition report.
