Premium high-end smartphones most often means they feature ultra-stunning display screens and super fast and powerful processors. Many are even wrapped in metal bodies these days, but the feature that is usually missing is the waterproof one. This, however, may be changing soon, as Apple Inc. is looking into a way to create its next smartphone (and perhaps, iPad and smartwatch as well) as a completely waterproof device without altering the original design.
These new rumors are stemming from the one the company’s newest patent applications. The application was filed by Apple last Thursday, March 5th. The patent shows that the tech industry conglomerate is currently researching new ways to waterproof its smartphone gadgets. The patent itself delineates a process of coating the integral components of the phone using a hydrophobic spray and electromagnetic interference fields, which is also used in other consumer electronics in order to help avoid environmental damage.
The hydrophobic spray coatings do offer somewhat of a significant advantage over other techniques used for waterproofing devices, the main reason being that the coatings do not interfere with or alter the design of the phones whatsoever.
The patent filing does not institute a confirmation of a new iPhone feature, and it remains to be seen whether or not Apple will actually be able to develop a truly waterproof spray coating. The NeverWet spray back in 2013 that promised to waterproof many consumer electronics turned out to be a deep disappointment.
Although, if Apple does happen to make a breakthrough with this feature, it will fill a consumer need that a lot of other big-name tech companies appear to be leaving behind. Samsung’s newest smartphones do not have the waterproof feature some of the earlier models had, and Sony, which was widely known for its waterproof smartphones, appears to be completely abandoning the Android smartphone game for good.
Apparently, we will all just have to wait and see how this new patent turns out for Apple.