According to P2i, it’s the market’s most advanced waterproof coating solution, protecting every component in a smartphone handset to IPX8 level for the life of the device. It cannot be removed by organic solvents or soap.
Dunkable uses a patented multi-chemistry approach, which is customised to the OEM’s manufacturing process and handset design. It is inert, and does not degrade through impact, heat, or environmental stress or when in contact with solvents.
According to recent customer surveys, both waterproofing and durability are among the most demanded features on new smartphones. Current production methods fail easily, carry high manufacturing costs, and place limitations on handset design – making them hard to differentiate to consumers.
The mechanical seals that are currently used to protect handsets to IPX7 and 8 levels only act as a barrier to water, allowing short circuiting if water enters the device via a cracked screen or a de-laminated seal. They also use space that could be used for larger batteries, which will be essential for managing the power demands of 5G modems.
The durability and reliability of handsets will be increased by Dunkable’s system-level protection to IPX8. Increasing handset costs and increased environmental awareness among consumers is causing people to keep phones for longer – average handset lifespan is set to rise by 15% in America and 5% in Europe/Asia5 – and with this rise, the need for more robust, longer lasting waterproofing features is becoming more important.
Advanced water protection technologies also reduce the cost of refurbishing, allowing more OEMs to access the refurbished phone market (set to grow from $19bn in 2017 to $52bn by 2022 - IDC).
Commenting Ady Moores, CEO, P2i said: “Dunkable is a world-first and represents a step change in the level of waterproofing available to handset manufacturers. The launch means that for the first time OEMs have access to the most advanced water protection capabilities that can be rolled out on virtually all form factors…not just the usual square designs.
“Its launch marks the next generation of ‘Protected by P2i’ products, where we will have the ability to treat over half a billion smartphones in 2019 alone.”
Crucially, Dunkable will enable handset manufactures to create bolder and more flexible designs that are thinner, foldable, or have smaller bezels - without compromising on their water protection.
While P2i is initially targeting Dunkable at smartphones, the technology is also applicable to tablets, wearables and consumer devices, as well as industrial systems. The first devices protected by the Dunkable solution are set to enter the market this year.