Apple's iPhone 13 offers industry-leading IP68 water resistance. Apple specifically claims on their website that the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are splash, water, and dust resistant and were tested under controlled laboratory conditions with a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes). Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions.

Last week the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple titled "Mobile Display Encapsulation to Improve Robustness and Water Resistance," that specifically relates to Apple adding filler materials into the frame of an iPhone or Apple Watch to improve device robustness and water resistance.

Apple's patent filing notes that traditional devices typically provide a "sway space" between the display components and a housing such that in the event of a drop or other high force event, the internal components would be allowed to shift a certain amount before contacting and potentially becoming damaged by the housing. In contrast, electronic devices as described in Apple's invention could include shock absorbing filler material that increases durability and improves sealing of display components within the electronic device.

As shown in Apple's patent FIG. 10 below, an injection instrument or needle #1029 can be used to inject the filler material (not shown in FIG. 10) into the ports 927. Various techniques and processes can be implemented to improve the injection process. For instance, the orientation of the iPhone's frame #902 can be changed or shifted to aid the filler reach its intended final location.

In some examples, the size of the ports #927 can be sufficient to receive a tip of the needle. By inserting a tip of the needle into the port, the needle can be securely held in place while the filler material is injected, reducing spillage of the filler material.

Apple's patent FIG. 12 above shows process flow chart #1200 for improving the robustness of an iPhone (or an Apple Watch).  The holes can be machines into the frame or can be made concurrently with formation of the frame itself. The number, size, and location of the holes can be dependent on the characteristics of the filling material and the geometry of the electronic device.

For greater details, review Apple's patent application number 20220061166. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a water resistance improvement to market is unknown at this time.

In related news about the iPhones water resistance, Patently Apple posted a report on February 03 titled "A Federal Judge Has Dismissed a Proposed Class-Action against Apple over Water Resistance Claims."