Reports say the iPhone 6S is water resistant, which Apple has elected not to advertise. But the same feature could prove as the chief addition to the next model that rumors said is the iPhone 7 on release date.
It appears that the next iPhone blueprint is already in the works and among the killer features for the device is real waterproofing protection, Business Insider said in a new report. The sequel to the iPhone 6S will also be encased in a new housing with materials more robust than the 7000 Series aluminum used for the 2015 models, the report added.
Business Insider pointed to a Weibo post as source of its information. Weibo is the most popular micro-blogging site in China.
While the 6S seems to have unboxed with some form of coating against liquid intrusion, Apple is yet to confirm. Still, the tech giant is reportedly planning a full-blown water protection for the iPhone 7 that the device is likely to survive liquid submersion for longer stretch of time.
As pointed by Business Insider, a YouTube clip showed the iPhone 6S emerging just fine after staying underwater for 60 minutes. If the Chinese social media post will prove correct, then it is likely that the iPhone 7 with waterproofing feature will do significantly better.
The improvements, perhaps, could include longer time of water submersion and the ability to perform some functions while underwater such as taking pictures during pool time. The same feature could add shock-proofing that will protect the iPhone 7 from damages when accidentally dropped. It should be noted that both smartphone protection features have been explored by Apple as shown in previously published patent.
And to better realize such plans, the next iPhone is set to utilize a housing material that is tougher than what is used with the iPhone 6S, according to the same post. Nothing specific was mentioned except the hint that the 6S is the last metal-clad iPhone that Apple fans will see, the report said.
With metal likely to be retired from the iPhone supply chain, sapphire and Liquidmetal come to mind as the materials have been mentioned in the past as possible candidates to further harden the iPhone shell. It is said that sapphire and Liquidmetal will make the upcoming iPhones nearly indestructible without adding heft to the device - meaning the next iPhone will remain slim while gaining incredible sturdiness.
There is no assurance that the supposed Apple plan, the report indicated that a working prototype is already in the testing phase, will be implemented but such suggestions surely make the iPhone 7 release date on 2016 worth the wait.