iPhone Hardware

The sixth generation iPhone will be here in no time, and thanks to the release of the third generation iPad we have a glimpse into Apple's plans for hardware on their next big product. Widely rumored to have a larger screen, the iPhone 5 is highly anticipated to launch in summer or fall 2012.

So what can we expect to see in the iPhone 5? DigiTimes is making predictions again, all based on their connections within the Asian supply chain. Although their track record is not 100 percent, they claim that Apple is planning to provide similar LTE functionality on the iPhone 5 as is currently delivered on the iPad 3.

Many of the recent rumors and mock ups of the iPhone 5 have shown an aluminum back on the next Apple smartphone, designed similarly to the iPad 2. This would be a departure from the current iPhone 4S design with an external antenna and two glass plates on the front and back.

New information from sources at iLounge are stating this is not the case, and that Apple might keep glass as an integral component of the next iPhone exterior. Apple is "continuing to experiment with glass and ceramic rear shells for a future iPhone model" which could be made of Corning's Gorilla Glass 2.

Hoping for a waterproof iPhone 5 later this summer? A recent patent uncovered by AppleInsider could mean that Apple is throwing cold water on the concept. New immersion detection sensors are described that would more accurately determine when a device was damaged by water.

Current Liquid Submersion Indicators found on Apple products simply turn red after they come into contact with water. This has caused problems as even a high level of humidity can sometimes trigger the indicator to turn a different color. The patent describes an improved method that would use water-soluble glue.

Apple plans to use Liquipel technology on the next generation iPhone, making the iPhone 5 immune to problems resulting from exposure to water. The waterproof iPhone 5 would be treated internally with a thin layer of Liquipel's material that prevents water molecules from ever contacting sensitive electronic components.

The news that Apple plans to utilize this technology comes from a source in the UK phone retail industry, who stated that wording for insurance documents will be changed to accomodate the waterproofed iPhone 5. Liquipel's technology was demoed at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The notion of a waterproof iPhone is laughable to anyone who's accidentally dropped their device in a pool or been stuck in a rainstorm. Apple has been clear when it comes to Apple Care claims that water damage is not covered, even going so far as to install liquid sensors in iPhones.

All this could be set to change if HzO succeeds in its efforts to get Apple to treat their devices with WaterBlock technology during the manufacturing process. HzO won this year's CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award for a nano-scale film barrier that repels water from sensitive electronics.