Apple’s iPhone 6s more water-resistant than previous models, says iFixit

 

A few days ago, a video emerged that showcased Apple’s new smartphones submerged in water for a long time. While the iPhone still isn’t certified as water-resistant, turns out the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus sport a combination of new technology that makes them far more resistant to liquid damage than past iPhones.

Experts at iFixit tore the iPhone 6s and discovered some ‘mystery adhesive’ around the display which is already secured with screws. Apple hasn’t simply ran a strip of glue around the existing display but instead, it appears that the iPhone’s frame has been subtly reworked to accommodate the new gasket.

There has also been a slight increase in the width of the lip running along the perimeter of the frame, which is about 0.3 mm wider than on the iPhone 6.

Additionally, in conversation with Wired, Jeff Suovanen, an engineer at iFixit, who took an iPhone 6s apart to study its water-resistant credentials stated, “Typically, if you get a phone wet, the danger comes when you have logic board contacts with a charge running through them exposed to water. They can short out, and afterwards they can start to corrode.”

Suovanen also found that rather than waterproof the case, Apple has opted to waterproof the logic board itself. “It’s basically a thin wall, it almost looks like wetsuit material. It’s not that, but it looks like that. It’s soft, spongy, you can press on it and feel it give a little bit.” he added.