SK Telecom Offers To Waterproof S4 Phones

Ever been afraid that your device could go for a swim, but never liked the idea of buying a waterproof phone because of the compromise design-wise (unless you’ve got an Xperia Z”X”). SK Telecom knows your pain and so they’ve decided to offer South Koreans the possibility of protecting their Samsung Galaxy S4 against water hazards.

SK Telecom is testing a new technology to make smartphones waterproof, and the Galaxy S4, due to its popularity, is the first candidate. The carrier will provide a free waterproof coating to 30,000 users of Samsung’s smartphone.

The phones are sprayed with a carbon gas that coats the device with a thin, invisible barrier, which blocks water infiltration into the device. However, it won’t be easy to convince customers that the phone looking exactly the same is now waterproof.

Samsung’s waterproof S4, the Active, can last up to 30 minutes in one-meter deep bodies of water, while the sprayed S4 is said to endure water exposure for up to 10 minutes, but repetitive and intentional “drowning” will diminish the coating’s effect.

The coating and technology will in the future be used in more than just smartphones, so if you’re looking to waterproof your tablet or camera it might not be that far away from happening. Cool technology or just a gimmick? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

[Via TheWallStreetJournal]