iPhone 15 Pro Still Expected to Feature 'Action' Button Instead of Mute Switch

While the latest rumors claim Apple dropped its plans for solid-state buttons on iPhone 15 Pro models, the upcoming devices are still expected to feature a customizable "Action" button in place of the traditional Ring/Silent switch.

iPhone 15 Pro 9to5Mac CADs

iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max render by 9to5Mac's Ian Zelbo

According to 9to5Mac, Apple-certified accessory makers are currently working with CADs showing the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature two mechanical volume buttons, and an additional mechanical button that replaces the Ring/Silent switch. Like the "Action" button on the Apple Watch Ultra, users would be able to assign the new button to system functions like Ring/Silent, Do Not Disturb, or Flashlight.

Mechanical buttons move when pressed, while solid-state buttons would rely on Taptic Engines inside the iPhone to simulate the feeling of movement. Apple analyst Jeff Pu believes solid-state buttons have been postponed until the iPhone 16 Pro next year due to unspecified "design issues" encountered during iPhone 15 Pro development.

Apple has included a Ring/Silent switch on every iPhone since the original model in 2007, so the switch's removal would still be a fairly significant change this year. The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models are still expected to have the switch, however, as the "Action" button is rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models only.

The new CADs also reveal that the rear camera bump on iPhone 15 Pro models will not protrude quite as much as the publication initially expected.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 lineup in September.

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Top Rated Comments

antiprotest Avatar
27 months ago

Ideally I could set the Action button to turn on the flashlight with a single-click, and toggle mute with a double-click.
Apple is obsessed with cramming the maximum number of gestures in the minimum number of places. So you will get something. But Apple is also against customization so it will be up to them.

Three times for camera.

Four times for Siri.

Five times for Apple Pay.

Six times for screen shot.

Seven times for emergency call.

Eight times to restart.

Plus an infinite number of short and long presses and Morse code entries.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ps3zocker Avatar
27 months ago
I'm saving my time to read this article for tomorrow's newest article where the iPhone 15 Pro is expected to have a singular haptic volume button again.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
27 months ago
RIP Mute Switch. I'm not really liking the new Mute Button. Reminds me of a baby Dynamic Island. Perhaps, Apple could just call it, Dynamic Mute Button.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrfunnypenguin Avatar
27 months ago
Who else finds the current silent switch very satisfying?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
27 months ago

Three times for camera.

Four times for Siri.

Five times for Apple Pay.

Six times for screen shot.

Seven times for emergency call.

Eight times to restart.

Plus an infinite number of short and long presses and Morse code entries.
You got to be kidding me. This alone needs a ring for Apple Watch Workout.

[MEDIA=giphy]3ohhwIO1gO5gIgq4fu[/MEDIA]
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
segfaultdotorg Avatar
27 months ago
And again with the huge camera warts on the back. Ugh.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)