Apple’s iPhone is known for its water-resistance, which allows it to withstand submersion in water up to a certain depth and duration. However, water-resistance does not mean waterproof, and Apple does not guarantee that its phones will be immune to water damage. In fact, the limited warranty for the iPhone does not cover any damage caused by liquid contact, regardless of the IP rating of the device. This is a common practice among phone manufacturers, who do not want to take the risk of covering water damage claims.
According to Apple, the iPhone 15 series can resist water up to 6 meters (19.7 feet) deep for up to 30 minutes. This is higher than the IP68 standard, which requires a minimum of 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) for 30 minutes. However, this does not mean that the iPhone can handle any type of water exposure, such as high-pressure jets, salt water, or chlorinated water. These kinds of water can degrade the water-resistance seals and damage the internal components of the phone. Therefore, Apple advises users not to use the iPhone in the shower, bath, pool, ocean, or other wet environments, unless they have a protective case designed for such purposes.
Apple seems to be aware of the limitations of water-resistance, and may be working on a solution to make the iPhone truly waterproof. A patent that was granted to Apple last week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) suggests that the company is developing a waterproof iPhone with an underwater user interface (UI). The patent, titled “Underwater User Interface”, describes how the iOS system can adapt to the underwater environment and provide a better user experience. For example, the patent shows that the iPhone can use the volume button to control the zoom function of the camera, instead of relying on the multi-touch gestures that may not work well underwater. The patent also mentions other possible features, such as changing the color scheme, brightness, contrast, and font size of the display, adjusting the haptic feedback and sound output, and detecting the depth and orientation of the phone.
This patent is exciting because it implies that Apple is not only working on a software solution, but also a hardware solution to make the iPhone waterproof. If Apple can achieve this, it would be a breakthrough in the smartphone industry, and a major selling point for the iPhone. It would also mean that Apple would have to change its warranty policy and cover water damage for its waterproof phones. However, it is not clear when or if Apple will release a waterproof iPhone, as patents do not always reflect the actual products. Until then, iPhone users should still be careful with their phones around water, and use appropriate cases if they want to take their phones underwater.