It has been confirmed that the upcoming flagship devices iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 will both have the same and must-have feature. Previous generations of iPhones and Samsung S are proof of the tendency of both brands to borrow each other's features, hardware-wise and OS-wise. Now, the two phones are sharing a key element - water resistance.
Water resistance has become a must-have feature for any smartphone. According to Korea Herald, the iPhone 8 has gained IP68 rating. Samsung Galaxy S8 has already received the rating first and can be submerged in 15 meters of water for half hour.
Apple's current iPhone 7 has only an IP67 rating. The Cupertino-company discourages the handset's owners to submerge their units under water to prevent liquid damage. Samsung's mid-range Galaxy A3, A5, and A7 phones are IP-68 certified. This makes Samsung ahead of Apple in this very important department.
Now, industry observers are waiting for how the new phones will fare when submerged in water next to each other. Samsung Galaxy S8 is already ahead since it is no different from the current Galaxy S7. Water resistance is something new for Apple since its previous handsets do not have this feature.
The water resistant iPhone 8 is part of the drastic changes Apple is implementing to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the iPhone this year. Samsung is also considering water protection for its cheapest J series.
Samsung and Apple are not alone in the waterproof phone race. LG Electronics and Chinese smartphone makers are also designing water-resistant phones. LG's midrange XCalibur is IP-68 rated and was unveiled at CES 2017. Its flagship G6 is also expected to be waterproof.
The waterproof tape industry is benefitting from handset manufacturers' move to introduce more water-resistant phones. The leading players in the market are U.S. materials giant 3M and South Korean film manufacturer NDFOS.
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