iPhone 7 Killer Features Include Waterproof Design, iOS 9, and More

By Staff Writer

Mar 10 2015, 09:53 AM EDT

With the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus breaking corporate records, Apple is set on a new venture to once again break its own record with the iPhone 7 expected to be launched in public before 2015 comes to an end.

Patents and reports leaking both prove that Apple is serious to keep the glory in itself from strong rival Samsung and rising competitors LG and HTC. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted Apple's latest patent request related to a waterproof feature for the upcoming device. The patent certifies Apple to manufacture a waterproof device "that can help battle moisture ingress and water moisture" in smartphones.

With title "Methods for shielding electronic components from moisture," Apple is researching "a process for coating sensitive device components using advanced vapor deposition technology and protecting solder leads with silicone seals."

The advancement will include crusting internal parts with ultra-thin hydrophobic coating. This can be achieved by placing the component in a compartment packed with fluopolymer gas. Voltage must be applied to convert the gas into plasma, which will then stick to the component.

However, the process shall be used to coat exposed surfaces on fully assembled devices only since internal structures like electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding might restrict deposition on critical components.

Samsung has done a water and dust proof technology with its Galaxy S5 device in 2014, while Sony has the technology for its Xperia line. These models have IP67 certifications, enabling submerging at a depth of one meter for a maximum duration of 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, iPhone 7 is purported to receive first Apple's latest operation system iOS 9 among all its devices. According to a report, iOS 9 will bring in impressive changes with its voice assistant Siri. Other features added include the ability to identify when to stop a playing music at night, and a major makeover in talkback features. iOS 9 will also allow users to change color and theme of the OS, as well as color variations of the phone's chassis.

The latest OS of Apple is also expected to be ran in test this summer to select 100,000 users with more focus on bug fixes.