ED#193 : Jony Ive : Waterproof iPhone Not Happening... Ever

Sorry, folks, but as long as Jony Ive's in charge, you can kiss the waterproof iPhone idea goodbye.

In an internal email that discussed possible "killer features" for a future iPhone, Apple's design wizard, Jony Ive, poured cold water on a waterproof iPhone in the future. This was sealed with the introduction of the Apple Watch.

Despite the popularity of waterproof cases and waterproof smartphones, Apple has never been very interested in making a waterproof iPhone. Even so, many iPhone users had held out the hope that the idea might revive in the post-Steve Jobs era. After all, many have lost their iPhones (and data) to water damage. The solution, according to Jony Ive, is the Apple Watch.

In this email to an unknown employee, Jony Ive was blunt about the "daft idea" :

XXXXX, this daft idea has been floated too many times. It's not happening. It's a work of art, not a plaything. If they are going to abuse it, let them pay. Our replacement program has been a great revenue stream. Why gut the golden goose? iCloud too. We lose them all if it's waterproof. If they want something waterproof, get the Watch. If we make a waterproof iPhone, why would they buy the Watch? Design-wise, it's also a daft idea. It adds 0.12mm to all six sides. We want to make them thinner. THINNER. The Oppo is less than 5mm. That's your goal. I want thin not fat. Make it happen. JI

According to our source, Apple isn't concerned about HTC's decision to provide free accidental damage warranty for the HTC One M9. If necessary, they will just extend the AppleCare+ option to countries that don't already have it.

But that's not stopping a petition from going out, asking Jony Ive to make waterproof iPhones... Go support it and let's force Jony Ive to give us what we want - a waterproof iPhone!

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