Apple Reportedly Hasn't Given Up on Haptic Buttons for a Future iPhone

Apple is still exploring solid-state buttons with haptic feedback for a future iPhone, according to a new report from a known Weibo leaker.

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In a new post, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that Apple's work on solid-state buttons for the ‌iPhone‌ is ongoing. They said that production cost is not the project's main issue, but rather "mistouches," since a correct response is apparently not "perfectly guaranteed."

Apple is said to currently be adjusting the "tactile design" of its solid-state buttons and working on their long-term reliability, especially for mass production. Apple's current button design is integrated directly into the frame, with no rebound when clicked, but the company is apparently seeking to more closely replicate the experience of a traditional mechanical button.

The advantages of the design are simplicity and reducing mechanical wear, while enabling users to differentiate between a light press and a firm press to trigger different functions. The project is purportedly now "on hold," with the company determining that the current market is more interested in display and battery technology advancements.

It was widely reported that Apple was intending to bring solid-state buttons to the ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro in 2023 as part of "Project Bongo," but it canceled the plan at a late stage. They were then rumored to come to the iPhone 16 Pro, before being shelved indefinitely. The feature is not expected to arrive in the iPhone 17 lineup, but the latest report suggests that they're likely to appear someday in the future.

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Top Rated Comments

thejadedmonkey Avatar
7 months ago
Oh goody, making more features that unusable in cold weather climates. They really need to send a design team to Minnesota in the winter.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr_Ed Avatar
7 months ago

The advantages of the design are simplicity and reducing mechanical wear, while enabling users to differentiate between a light press and a firm press to trigger different functions.
By show of hands, how many here have ever had a mechanical button on an iPhone stop working before we replaced the device?

Obviously all anecdotal, but I've never had any mechanical button on an iDevice (buying since 1st gen iPhone) wear out. This includes "Home" buttons on iPads that we've kept in use for many years as they get handed down to the kid. Not sure reliability of mechanical buttons has really been a major issue.

Multiple functions on a single button is not something that adds value for me but obviously, others may feel differently. You know what the multi-function button on my 15 PM does? Same thing the mechanical switch it replaced did in my earlier iPhones, only less elegantly.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamgalt Avatar
7 months ago

Why would they be unusable? Apple system/design engineers and project managers are not stupid.
Based on the absolutely miserable experience of the haptic home button on the iPhone 7, I’m not sure I can agree with that last part. Yeah, it’s been a while since the iPhone 7, but I still want the physical buttons to remain physical buttons. I had the iPhone 7 and returned it, downgrading back to the 6. Absolute garbage.

Apple, stop trying to make buttons more expensive. They work very well as they are.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechWhisperer Avatar
7 months ago
What if you accidentally touch the volume button when picking up your phone? isn’t that annoying?

Just keep the buttons as they are, just give us more refined volume control.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JonathanParker Avatar
7 months ago
How will you force restart the phone if the OS freezes up? Usually it’s volume up, volume down, hold the power button. If the OS is frozen it can’t respond to these.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghanwani Avatar
7 months ago
I have heard that this is the most requested feature from all their customers trumping everything from displays easier on the eyes to foldables to a better Siri experience. Apple listens to customers!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)