Apple was rumored to launch solid-state, haptic buttons for the iPhone 15 Pro, then for the iPhone 16 Pro, and that never happened. The company was then said to have put the project on hold, but today a new rumor from China claims Apple is still working on perfecting the technology.
The reason for Apple skipping it so far has to do with registering false touches, presumably when you just brush up against the buttons without the intention to use them. The buttons are also allegedly less responsive than Apple would like. Cost was never an issue.
Apple is also said to be tweaking the “tactile design” and reliability of these buttons to ensure a similarly satisfying experience to that of pressing actual buttons, while also maintaining a consistent experience for every device they’re applied to.
The obvious upside of such buttons is the fact that they can easily be programmed to do different things upon a light touch vs. a heavier press. There’s also no mechanical wear to speak of with them, and they can add to ingress protection by design, without the need for gaskets or the like.
It doesn’t seem like Apple has any specific iPhones in mind for this project right now, the company is only aiming to perfect the solid-state haptic buttons up to the point where it wants them. Once it hits that milestone (or if), then it will introduce them. So don’t hold your breath for the iPhone 17 Pro series coming with these.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Source (in Chinese)
