Apple's newly announced foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, carries an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, giving it a durability advantage over Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, which is rated only IP48. The rating puts the iPhone Duo on equal footing with Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which also achieves IP68.

What the IP68 Rating Means

The IP68 designation is split into two parts. The IP6X portion covers dust resistance, meaning the device is considered fully "dust-tight," with no particles able to penetrate its housing, according to international ingress protection standards. The IPX8 portion addresses water resistance, certifying protection against submersion deeper than one meter. Apple states that the iPhone Duo can specifically withstand depths of up to six meters for as long as 30 minutes.

This matches the IP68 rating found on Apple's standard iPhone lineup, signaling that the company did not compromise on water and dust protection despite the added complexity of a foldable design.

Why Dust Resistance Matters for Foldables

Dust resistance is a particularly important consideration for foldable phones because particles can work their way into the hinge mechanism over time, potentially causing mechanical damage or affecting how smoothly the device opens and closes. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 lineup falls short in this area, with an IP48 rating that offers noticeably weaker protection against dust intrusion compared to the iPhone Duo and Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Apple has not detailed the specific engineering solutions used to seal the iPhone Duo's hinge against dust, but the achievement suggests the company prioritized long-term reliability for a device that relies on a moving mechanical joint, unlike traditional iPhones.

Durability Extends Beyond Water and Dust

Apple has paired the IP68 rating with additional durability features built into the iPhone Duo. The device uses a titanium frame along with a titanium hinge cover, and its foldable display is constructed from ten layers. Together, these elements are intended to help the device withstand the physical stresses that come from repeated folding and unfolding.

Apple has cautioned that water and dust resistance ratings are not permanent and can diminish over time due to normal wear and tear, a standard disclaimer the company applies across its device lineup. This means the level of protection users experience on day one may not be identical years into ownership.

What Comes Next

Independent testing will likely provide more insight into how well the iPhone Duo's dust sealing holds up in practice. Teardown specialists such as iFixit are expected to examine the device's internals, which should reveal more about how Apple achieved dust-tight protection around the hinge specifically.

The iPhone Duo was unveiled alongside Apple's broader September 2026 product announcements, introducing a dual-screen, foldable design that the company says results in the thinnest iPhone it has ever produced when fully opened.