It’s true that the iPhone 6s is the smartphone closest to being water-resistant that Apple has released to date, but how would you feel about a completely waterproof iPhone, one that could survive a dive in the swimming pool?
Thanks to an adhesive lining that was built in the iPhone 6s’ casing, the logic board protectors are sealed off, but not enough for Apple to advertise it as a rugged, waterproof device, so a trip in the shower could definitely damage the elements.
But we’re told to expect a pretty awesome upgrade for future iPhones, if we’re to believe a newly discovered patent application. As reported by AppleInsider, the company has filed an application that deals with a technology that uses special rubber that automatically covers external ports when they’re not in use.
The description on the application read that “the self-healing elastomer may obscure the electronic connectors from the user as well as provide environmental protection for the connector and the electronic device,” which is fancy talk for saying that water won’t be able to get in.
However, the “self-healing elastomer” won’t be as rigid as not to allow “electronic probes” to temporarily push through, namely, chargers and headphones will still be able to connect. After the user removes the connectors, the special rubber will elastically reform and cover the ports again.
In other words, the ports will be lined up with this elastomer whenever they are empty, in such a way that the elastomer keeps them full and protected from any outside elements. However, whenever the ports need to be used, the plugs are able to penetrate the elastomer, which recedes to accommodate the headphones, for example.
It’s not hard to imagine how awesome it would be if an iPhone could withstand dust and water without compromising its design – because nobody likes a bulky smartphone due to an additional waterproof case. Even though the patent application doesn’t specify any devices, the iPhone could easily be the winner, considering how much time it spends in our pockets and hands.
Of course, we must keep in mind that plenty of acquired patent applications don’t make it on the shelves, and there are guarantees this technology will ever be used. But in light of Apple’s experiments with water-resistance techniques in the iPhone 6s, the legal clues might point us in the right direction.
Image Source: iPhone Life