A new OnePlus feature could solve the biggest issue with wet smartphone screens

Smartphones have been water resistant for years now, with various IP ratings allowing modern smartphones to survive everything from a wobbly glass of water to an accidental drop in the bathtub. However, the usability aspect of smartphones when exposed to water hasn’t really taken off. One brand is looking at changing that.

OnePlus recently revealed a new video highlighting its ‘Rain Water Touch’ feature ahead of the launch of the brand’s next device, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro. While the device itself is likely to be a Chinese market-exclusive, we’re very likely to see the tech implemented in other OnePlus devices in India and other markets, especially in its flagship series.

What is OnePlus Rain Water Touch feature?

The feature allows screens to not take inputs from water drops on the surface. In other words, Rain Water Touch prevents water on the screen from making inputs, or disrupting your inputs when using the device.

Smartphone users who’ve dealt with a wet screen know the issue of ghost touches. This is when you try to tap, hold or drag on a screen with water on it, but the display is unable to accurately register your gestures, instead being confused by the water.

Result? The screen seems to momentarily develop a mind of its own, one that can make mistakes like clicking on a suspicious link, texting your boss random emojis at the wrong hour or even making an unwanted transaction. The possibilities are endless, and terrifying.

This happens because modern phones use capacitive screens, which use the small amounts of naturally present electricity in your fingers to change the flow of electric fields in the screen and ‘detect touch’. Unfortunately, water also conducts electricity and hence, makes your screen go nuts.

How is OnePlus fixing the issue?

In its video, OnePlus can be seen showcasing the feature on its upcoming smartphone and compared with an iPhone 14 Pro, where the problem can be clearly seen once both phones were sprayed with water.

ALSO READ: Android 14: Top features you can expect

The feature is not powered by a new display tech, but rather a custom chipset in the phone that uses algorithms to tell human inputs apart from accidental water inputs.

It remains to be seen what phones OnePlus will bring the feature to, and whether we’ll see the same on the brand’s next flagship, the OnePlus 12. The feature will also likely push other brands to come with their own implementations, which is great for the market from the innovation perspective. You may finally be able to use a phone effectively in the rain after all!