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Apple has an idea that could keep your iPhone waterproof without changing its design
(Flickr/Kārlis Dambrāns) The iPhone 6 A recently published patent application from Apple shows how the company could design a waterproof iPhone.
The application, which was published on Thursday, describes a method that involves waterproofing the inside of the phone rather than the outside (via 9to5Mac).
Most water-resistant devices, such as Samsung's Galaxy Activ phones, come with a stronger casing that prevents water from seeping through. That's not what Apple has in mind for waterproofing devices.
Rather, Apple's patent describes a system in which the internal components would be covered with a "hydrophobic coating" that would prevent damage. This coating could be applied to a fully-assembled circuit board, the patent says.
The patent itself doesn't mention whether or not the technology would be used for iPhones, but the drawings that accompany the patent clearly show a device that looks just like an iPhone, as shown below.
(USPTO.gov) A drawing from Apple's patent
This type of method would allow Apple to keep the iPhone resistant to water without compromising its design. Most waterproof phones are a bit bulky in comparison to non-water resistant devices.
It's worth noting, however, that Apple patents very rarely end up in real products. Apple has patent tons of interesting yet unlikely ideas such as a iPhone-like device with a curved screen that wraps around the entire device to technology that allows you to charge your iPhone with sunlight.
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