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What Makes the iPhone 6S Waterproof

16 points by SQL2219 11y ago

J_Darnley 11y ago
The operating system of course! (It also lets you charge the battery by placing the phone in a microwave.)
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]
lockyc 11y ago
I think waterproof is a bit of an overstatement. I think it would be to reduce the chances of sweat and humidity affecting the phone.
- Someone 11y ago
  Water-resistant probably is the better term, but "a video from YouTuber Zach Straley shows the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus functioning underwater for an hour and emerging pretty much unscathed." seems fairly waterproof to me, given what the competition write about their waterproof phones http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/dm/waterproof/ http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/dm/waterproof/
  - shalmanese 11y ago
    Water pressure goes up pretty quickly with depth which means items that are completely water resistant at very shallow depths can quickly lose their water resistance. Plus, any seals may not be statistically perfect and could degrade over time. The reason why Apple hasn't marketed the claim is likely the one most people assume: They don't want to be responsible for warranty repairs for any water damage until they're confident about their process.
9935c101ab17a66 11y ago
I know this was probably some washed up hack of an editor and not the author of the actual story but the title reads: > Here's What's Making the iPhone 6S Secretly Waterproof > You only have to tear it open to find out And the article then concludes. >OK so there's definitely some waterproofing at work here. Then why didn't Apple mention it? Probably because it isn't complete. The headphone jack and speaker grill are still vulnerable to water damage, so the phone isn't really waterproof. At least not yet. It's understandable that Apple wouldn't want to advertise a feature while it's still half-baked. What in the actual fuck? Not only is this an attempt to garner readers with a click-baity article title, the SAME ARTICLE explicitly contradicts the click-bait headline. Honestly can't get much shittier than this.
- unwind 11y ago
  I also enjoyed this gem: iFixit even found what appear to be silicone seals around the logic gates of the iPhone's logic board. That really helps build my trust for Popular Mechanics.
Animats 11y ago
Since you can't replace the battery, or at least you're not supposed to, I'm surprised the whole unit isn't welded shut at the factory. Ultrasonic welding will work, even for dissimilar materials, and there are techniques for doing it close to electronic components without damage.[1] [1] http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=10045 http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=10045
- jklp 11y ago
  Can ultrasonic welds come apart? I think it's Apple's intention that consumers aren't supposed to replace the batteries but instead Apple technicians
  - Animats 11y ago
    Why bother? Apple's manufacturing cost isn't that high. When the battery dies, Apple can just sell you a new one with a trade-in.

16 points by SQL2219 11y ago

J_Darnley 11y ago

The operating system of course! (It also lets you charge the battery by placing the phone in a microwave.)

deleted 11y ago
[deleted]

lockyc 11y ago

I think waterproof is a bit of an overstatement. I think it would be to reduce the chances of sweat and humidity affecting the phone.

Someone 11y ago
Water-resistant probably is the better term, but "a video from YouTuber Zach Straley shows the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus functioning underwater for an hour and emerging pretty much unscathed." seems fairly waterproof to me, given what the competition write about their waterproof phones http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/dm/waterproof/ http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/dm/waterproof/
- shalmanese 11y ago
  Water pressure goes up pretty quickly with depth which means items that are completely water resistant at very shallow depths can quickly lose their water resistance. Plus, any seals may not be statistically perfect and could degrade over time. The reason why Apple hasn't marketed the claim is likely the one most people assume: They don't want to be responsible for warranty repairs for any water damage until they're confident about their process.

9935c101ab17a66 11y ago

I know this was probably some washed up hack of an editor and not the author of the actual story but the title reads: > Here's What's Making the iPhone 6S Secretly Waterproof > You only have to tear it open to find out And the article then concludes. >OK so there's definitely some waterproofing at work here. Then why didn't Apple mention it? Probably because it isn't complete. The headphone jack and speaker grill are still vulnerable to water damage, so the phone isn't really waterproof. At least not yet. It's understandable that Apple wouldn't want to advertise a feature while it's still half-baked. What in the actual fuck? Not only is this an attempt to garner readers with a click-baity article title, the SAME ARTICLE explicitly contradicts the click-bait headline. Honestly can't get much shittier than this.

unwind 11y ago
I also enjoyed this gem: iFixit even found what appear to be silicone seals around the logic gates of the iPhone's logic board. That really helps build my trust for Popular Mechanics.

Animats 11y ago

Since you can't replace the battery, or at least you're not supposed to, I'm surprised the whole unit isn't welded shut at the factory. Ultrasonic welding will work, even for dissimilar materials, and there are techniques for doing it close to electronic components without damage.[1] [1] http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=10045 http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=10045

jklp 11y ago
Can ultrasonic welds come apart? I think it's Apple's intention that consumers aren't supposed to replace the batteries but instead Apple technicians
- Animats 11y ago
  Why bother? Apple's manufacturing cost isn't that high. When the battery dies, Apple can just sell you a new one with a trade-in.