It has been known for some time that Apple is considering replacing the physical buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro with taptic buttons. Recently released design images of the iPhone 15 by 9to5Mac suggest this change. It seems that upcoming models of the iPhone might not have physical volume buttons or a power switch.
Although Apple’s decision to get rid of physical buttons may seem new, it’s worth noting that HTC introduced the first button-less phone in 2018, the HTC U12+. While the idea was interesting, it didn’t catch on with consumers. It’ll be interesting to see how Apple puts its plan into action and if other phone makers will follow. With Apple’s significant research and development budget, technical expertise, and Tim Cook’s inventive mindset, they stand a good chance of success in this endeavor.
The HTC U12+ and Google’s Pixel 2 used pressure-sensitive sensors on the phone’s edge to replace conventional physical buttons. While these phones had pressure-sensitive volume and power controls, they also had a sensor that detected the force of a squeeze on the phone’s frame. Users needed to squeeze the phone to use these functions.
It’s still unclear how the iPhone 15 will incorporate its button-free design. It might combine pressure-sensitive buttons and touch controls like those on AirPods, or it might opt for exclusively touch-sensitive controls.
Apple has numerous options to consider for its button-free design. In the past, the company used ‘phantom buttons’ like the pressure-sensitive home button on the iPhone 7 and the trackpad on the MacBook. Additionally, the AirPods’ force sensors work as pressure-sensitive buttons. These examples show Apple has prior experience with pressure-sensitive technology, which could shape how the feature is integrated into the iPhone 15.
Apple could potentially enhance the functionality of pressure-sensitive buttons in the iPhone 15 in various ways. These buttons might take over music controls on the screen, creating space for other features. They could also support different gestures like instantly opening the camera without unlocking the iPhone 15 or activating Siri, similar to Samsung’s Bixby button. Gaming could also benefit from pressure-sensitive buttons serving as triggers, offering gamers a new level of touch feedback.
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