Touchscreens have been pretty consistent for a while now, and that’s because they’re generally doing a good job. However, one pesky problem still hasn’t tended to act up when wet, like when the rain decides to visit. But guess what? OnePlus is stepping up with a fresh solution for its new devices.
They’re calling it “Rain Water Touch,” it’s all about making touchscreens work even when wet. This nifty innovation caught the attention of 9to5 Google, who spotted the reveal on OnePlus’ Weibo channel.
In a video, they put a OnePlus device in a showdown with the iPhone 14 Pro while subjecting them to a barrage of artificial rain and mist. This is a game-changer for times when your hands are freshly washed or just super sweaty.
With “Rain Water Touch,” OnePlus Ace 2 Pro can accurately register your touches even when water messes with the screen. It’s a far cry from most smartphones, like the iPhone 14 Pro in the demo, that often struggle to handle wet touch interactions – sometimes ignoring them entirely or giving wildly off-target responses.
The reason behind this issue is the technology that modern touchscreens use. These screens work through capacitive touch, which relies on the conduction of electricity to figure out where and when your finger is tapping the screen. It’s a lightning-fast process. However, when the net gets wet, the detection process gets muddled because water is also a conductor of electricity. This leads to wonky responses or even ignoring touches altogether.
What’s fascinating is that OnePlus seems to have found a way to tackle this problem head-on. They’re employing intelligent touch algorithms and a customized chip inside the device. This combo seems to be their secret sauce to ensure the screen can accurately interpret your touches even when water is thrown into the mix. It’s like they’re giving their screen a unique ability to handle water and finger touches without hiccups. This innovation presumably comes from their collaboration with Oppo, their parent brand.
OnePlus shared that their trick involves a mix of silicon and a clever algorithm. This combo helps the phone figure out where your fingers are tapping despite the challenges posed by water, which, by the way, conducts electricity just like our skin does.
