Apple Watch WR50 and WR100 Ratings Explained: WR vs. IP Rating

The Apple Watch does not officially have an IP rating. Instead, it gets Apple’s own WR50 water resistance rating. And with the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple has increased its water resistance capabilities with the new WR100 rating. But you might wonder what these ratings are and how they differ from the standard IP rating. Here’s more on Apple Watch WR50 and WR100 ratings and how they differ from the standard IP68.

What is the WR50 Rating on Apple Watch?

The WR50 rating on an Apple Watch translates to water resistance for up to 50 meters, certified under ISO standard 22810:2010. It can be used in shallow water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean. You can also wear the Apple Watch while bathing in a tub or shower.

Having said that, you should avoid taking your Apple Watch to scuba diving, waterskiing, and any other activity that involves high-velocity water or submersion below the superficial depth.

Apple Watches with WR50 Water Resistance

The WR50 water resistance rating is available on Apple Watch with WatchOS 3.0 and later (the feature isn’t software-dependent, but for a simple understanding). Here is the list of models that have WR50 rating:

Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation)
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch SE
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 2

What is the WR100 Rating on Apple Watch Ultra?

The WR100 rating on the Apple Watch allows water resistance up to 100 meters, certified under ISO standard 22810:2010. This rating allows you to use the Apple Watch in extreme water sports activities like kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and swimming in a pool or ocean.

You can also bathe in a shower or hot tub while wearing the WR100-certified Apple Watch. On top of it, you can wear the watch for up to 40 meters during recreational scuba diving.

Apple Watches with WR100 Water Resistance

The WR100 water resistance rating is only available in the Apple Watch Ultra 1st and 2nd generation. This smartwatch is also EN13319 certified, an international standard for diving accessories. Therefore, the Apple Watch Ultra is officially a diving accessory with an up to 40-meter range.

IP68 vs. WR50 or WR100 – What’s the Difference?

IP68 is the most common water resistance rating found on smartphones and smartwatches across the price segments. It is a standard certification that many smart devices are certified for. On the other hand, the WR50 and WR100 ratings are only found on the Apple Watch because it is Apple’s water resistance certification.

The IP68 rating has both dust and water resistance- the number 6 signifies a certain level of dust resistance, while the number 8 indicates a certain level of water resistance. It can ensure an underwater exposure of up to 1.5 meters.

Whereas the WR50 and WR100 ratings are only water resistance and not dust resistance, but can protect the devices underwater for up to 50 and 100 meters, respectively.

Starting from the Apple Watch Series 7, Apple has started including a WR50 rating for water resistance and a dedicated IP6X rating for assuring protection against dust. Let’s take a quick look at the differences between the IP68 and WR50/WR100 water resistance ratings:

Features	IP68	WR50/WR100
Water Resistance	Yes	Yes
Dust Resistance	Yes	No
Underwater Limit	1.5 Meters	50/100 Meters
Availability	Common in Most Smartwatches	Only on Apple Watch

FAQs

Q. How Does Apple Maintain ISO Standards for WR50 and WR100 Water Resistance Ratings?

Every Apple Watch with WR50 or WR100 ratings is tested in a laboratory environment to meet the requirements set by the International Organisation for Standardization. To achieve the WR50 water resistance, the Apple Watch should pass a series of tests, including submersion in water at 50m of depth for 30 minutes.

Q. Why Does Apple not Provide IP Certification on Apple Watch for Water Resistance?

The Apple Watch (1st generation) and Series 1 had an IPX7 water resistance rating. After that, Apple introduced the WR50 water resistance rating for its smartwatches, which first came in the Apple Watch Series 2. Although Apple does not provide IP certification for water resistance in its smartwatches anymore, it still started providing the IP6X dust resistance from the Apple Watch Series 7.

Q. Is the Apple Watch With WR50 Rating Dust Resistant?

No, the WR50 rating is only for water resistance, and it does not include dust resistance. For dust resistance, Apple provided an IP6X rating with the Apple Watch Series 7 and the WR rating.

Q. Is It Okay to Bath or Shower With Apple Watch?

If your Apple Watch has at least a WR50 water resistance rating, you can take it to shower without any worries.

Wrapping Up

These were the Apple Watch WR50 and WR100 water resistance ratings. They are exclusive to the Apple Watch but assure you of better water protection. We also discussed the difference between the standard IP68 rating and WR50/WR10 ratings. Anyways, what do you think about the Apple Watch’s water resistance? Tell us in the comments below, and stay tuned for more informative articles!

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