Apple has always favored aesthetics over durability with the iPhone, but some rumors out of China suggest that the company might be trying to find a comfortable balance between the two. Don’t get me wrong, iPhones aren’t exactly flimsy, but seeing as how a short drop onto a hard surface or a few seconds underwater can seriously damage them, they’re definitely not rugged either. That might change with the iPhone 7, however, as the aforementioned rumors claim that Apple is currently looking into making an iPhone that’s both dust-proof and water-proof.
A set of rumors out of the Far East on Sunday claims Apple is well into the prototyping phase of its next-generation handset, with current test models incorporating a waterproof design that could be applied to a non-metal frame. Citing a post from Chinese microblogging site Weibo, Mac Otakara reports prototype “iPhone 7” units are being produced with waterproof and dust-proof features, suggesting Apple is investigating a more “ruggedized” handset. While specifics go unmentioned, Apple could be exploring methods of transplanting technology from Apple Watch, a device specifically designed to accommodate active lifestyles. For example, iPhone 7 might sport an encapsulated system-on-chip processor and water-tight gaskets. More exotic solutions include applying hydrophobic coatings to sensitive electrical components via a vapor deposition process, or integrating silicone seals at water ingress points, according to patent filings.
