New waterproof iPhone tech is tight

published 16 June 2018

Apple is looking at a way to make the new iPhone truly water-proof and without the need for a pesky port cover.

Apple is working on a new technology that will allow the iPhone to remain waterproof by working on a new connector with a deformable seal. According to a new patent filed by Apple this tech will make the port liquid-tight.

One rather cool idea uses a pump to create a vacuum seal that stops water entering the iPhone. Then when a cable is plugged in, that vacuum is broken to allow for charging.

There are also ideas that describe different types of connectors that use a rubber gasket or tapered connector to seal up the port when plugged in. Of course this would require a similar permanent attachment on the phone to offer water-resistance when not charging.

Apple also has a patent for an umbrella mesh that can deflect liquids away from the speaker port.

Android phones already offer water-resistance thanks to an oleophobic coating that helps keep moisture from affecting components. For example the Samsung Galaxy S9 is water-resistant already.

While Apple has filed this new patent and we hope that means this tech will appear soon, it files a lot of patents so we're not holding our breath for underwater iPhone swimming just yet.

Luke is a former freelance writer for T3 with over two decades of experience covering tech, science and health. Among many others Luke wrote about health tech, software and apps, VPNs, TV, audio, smart home, antivirus, broadband, smartphones, cars and plenty more. In his free time, Luke used to climb mountains, swim outside and contort his body into silly positions while breathing as calmly as possible.