How OnePlus Went from Mocking IP Ratings to Mastering Them

Remember when OnePlus didn’t care about IP ratings? Pepperidge Farm remembers.

Remember the days when a splash of water could send a shiver down a OnePlus owner’s spine? Not so long ago, the brand famously skipped IP ratings, citing cost and prioritizing "real-world experience" over certification. A mere $30 per phone stood between OnePlus and the coveted water resistance badge. How quickly the tides turn.

Fast forward from a 2019 OnePlus Community post, where the very notion of ingress protection was seemingly dismissed, to the present day. Now, in a bold 2025 twist, OnePlus unveils its latest creation: a smartphone boasting not one, butfouringress protection certifications. Times, and perspectives, have clearly changed.

OnePlus 15 has FOUR IP ratings.

Remember when OnePlus said IP ratings didn’t matter? pic.twitter.com/hp3avQtbQo Alex Maxham (@alexmaxham) November 13, 2025

OnePlus just threw a whole alphabet soup of IP ratings at us during their latest launch! The new OnePlus 15 boasts IP66, IP68, IP69,andIP69K certifications. Are they aiming for a new rating every year? Last year brought us IP69, and now this? IP69K sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, and frankly, most of us are scratching our heads wondering what it evenmeans.

Imagine a fortress, impenetrable to dust, impervious to torrents of scorching water. That’s IP69K – the ultimate shield for electronics. Forget flimsy protection; this rating signifies absolute defiance against dust and punishing high-pressure, high-temperature jets. Think industrial-strength cleaning in food processing plants, chemical washdowns, or any environment where equipment faces extreme conditions. The "69" blasts away any doubt about its resilience, while the "K" adds an extra layer of extreme water resistance, ensuring flawless operation even when facing the most aggressive cleaning.

OnePlus 13 laughs in the face of liquids. IP69K? Yeah, it’s bordering on absurd for a phone, but in the best possible way. We already trusted it in the washing machine, thanks to IP69. Now? Unleash the dishwater! This is peak water resistance – seriously, it doesn’t get better. Oh, and you still get a SIM card slot. Take that, compromises!

OnePlus claimed that IP certification would cost around $30 per device

Back when the OnePlus 7 was making headlines, OnePlus dropped a surprising truth bomb: no official IP rating. Their reasoning? An extra $30 tacked onto the price tag. While OnePlus claimed prioritizing affordability, some whispered that cutting corners was the real motive. The debate still rages.

OnePlus admits IP certification isn’t free, and they’re right. While the precise figure remains a mystery, rigorous testing can run upwards of $5,000. Is that per phone model, or per rating? Imagine the OnePlus 15 – with four IP ratings – potentially costing $20,000 just to get wet. One thing’s clear: it’s nowhere near the laughable $30 per device some have suggested. At that price, OnePlus would need to sell a measly 166 phones to break even on certification.

Back in the day, OnePlus chased value above all else, the undisputed "Flagship Killer." Imagine, though, if in 2025, they launched the OnePlus 15 at $899, but skimped on basic waterproofing? The internet would erupt. They’d be mocked out of existence. Smart move evolving, OnePlus. Smart move.

Why the sudden change in heart?

Think of Carl Pei’s exit from OnePlus as the aftershock of a corporate earthquake. October 2020. Boom. He’s out. Then, the head-scratching announcement: OPPO "merges" with OnePlus. Merger? They werealreadypractically conjoined twins under the BBK umbrella! But behind the scenes, the tectonic plates were shifting. OPPO and vivo staked their individual claims, becoming truly independent entities. Now, the aftershocks ripple through the software. OnePlus, OPPO, and realme: three brands, one core OS, flavored with subtle but distinct tweaks. It’s a shared foundation with individual identities trying to break free.

OnePlus shifted gears. Pete Lau stepped into the spotlight, juggling roles as CEO of both OnePlus and OPPO. Meanwhile, OxygenOS began its metamorphosis, shedding its skin to reveal a new, ColorOS-infused hybrid.

The spirit of the original OnePlus, the brainchild of Pei, had faded – a necessary sacrifice, perhaps. OnePlus was evolving, shedding its skin as an enthusiast’s darling to embrace the mainstream. This metamorphosis demanded compromise, including a once-unthinkable adoption of water resistance certifications. In a market where even budget devices and cutting-edge foldables boasted IP ratings, OnePlus had to adapt or risk being left behind.

OnePlus is dialing up the performance dial to eleven with the upcoming OnePlus 15, channeling its inner enthusiast brand once more. Camera prowess is taking a backseat this time around. In a telling move during the recent launch event, a mere sliver of its 45-minute runtime was dedicated to discussing the camera system, signaling a clear shift in priorities.

Remember last year’s OnePlus 13 launch? They practically baptized that phone! Not content with typical water resistance, OnePlus chased the elusive IP69 rating, making them pioneers alongside OPPO. They even whisked North American journalists away to the Bahamas, showcasing the phone’s resilience in a truly unforgettable way. Forget gentle splashes; we witnessed the OnePlus 13 enduring the trials of a portable washing machine and a dishwasher, all while sporting a faux leather back. Now that’s confidence!

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