The iPhone 15 series could ditch physical volume/power buttons
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR
Apple is no stranger to ditching physical inputs, as it previously ditched the 3.5mm port and physical home button. Now, a reliable source has claimed that the company might ditch physical volume and power buttons next year.
Veteran analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed on Twitter that Apple’s two high-end iPhone 15 models might adopt a “solid-state” button design for the volume and power buttons in lieu of physical buttons.
The Apple watcher specifically noted that this design would be similar to the home button design first seen on the iPhone 7 series, using so-called Taptic Engines (vibration motors). For the uninitiated, Apple abandoned the mechanical home button back in 2016. Instead, the company used a linear vibration motor to mimic a physical button press. Samsung would follow a similar approach with the Galaxy S8 series home button.
Solid-state volume/power buttons might not be a bad thing though, as it could make for a more reliable iPhone with fewer mechanical parts that can break over time.
Would you switch to haptic volume/power buttons?44 votes
Yes
43%
It depends on the execution
34%
No
23%
However, it’s worth noting that the switch to solid-state home buttons might have ramifications for resetting the iPhone or entering recovery mode. We previously saw this with the iPhone 7 series, as Apple was forced to make power and volume the reset combo as opposed to pressing the power key and home button. This was because the software-based home button would also potentially freeze if the OS became unresponsive.
We’re guessing some Android OEMs would copy Apple if the company indeed decided to offer solid-state volume and power buttons. It wouldn’t be the first time we see Android brands ditch physical volume keys though, as the Huawei Mate 30 Pro and Vivo Nex 3 both offered alternative solutions with varying degrees of success.
CommentsKuo: iPhone 15 Pro Models to Feature Solid-State Buttons and Three Taptic Engines
The iPhone 15 Pro models may feature solid-state volume and power buttons, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a tweet, Kuo explained that the volume and power buttons on next year's two high-end iPhone models may adopt a solid-state design, similar to the iPhone 7's home button, replacing a mechanical button design that physically depresses. Apple uses a similar method for its Mac trackpads, which do not physically move and simply mimic the feeling of being pressed with small vibrations.The new iPhones will reportedly feature additional Taptic Engines on the internal left and right sides to provide feedback to users, making it seem as though they are pressing physical buttons. The change means that the number of Taptic Engines in each iPhone will increase from one to three.
Apple was rumored to be planning to switch the Apple Watch to solid-state buttons several years ago, but the change never took place. At the time, it was said that solid-state buttons would improve water resistance and take up less internal space, but it is not clear if that would be the case for the iPhone since sufficient space for two more Taptic Engines would be required.
In an additional thread, Kuo said that "the buttonless design and switch to USB-C are two of the major updates for iPhone 15."
New Apple Leak Reveals More iPhone 15 Release Details
The first iPhone 15 leaks claim significant changes are coming to the design of both standard and Pro models. And now details of the internal changes have leaked as well.
In a new report, influential industry analyst TrendForce has revealed camera, memory, modem and connectivity details about the iPhone 15 range. And it looks like we will be in for a surprisingly early upgrade to USB-C.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max concept illustrating earlier dual camera leak
aliartist3dBreaking the news down, TrendForce claims that Apple will boost RAM in iPhone 15 Pro models from 6GB to 8GB, introduce a new ‘8P’ (eight-element) lens for the primary camera (iPhone 14 models have a seven-element lens), a periscope lens exclusively for the Pro Max model, and begin a “comprehensive” switch from lightning to USB-C connectors for all models.
This latter element is seemingly at odds with comments from Apple’s Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of worldwide marketing, who this week said, “the Europeans are the ones dictating timing for European customers.” New EU Law requires all smartphones sold to member countries to use USB-C by the fall of 2024.
That said, TrendForce’s information aligns with multiple leaks that claim Apple will move early and transition part, if not all, iPhone 15 models to USB-C a year ahead of the EU deadline. Whether this is just for Europeans or worldwide remains to be seen.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max / Ultra concept
aliartist3dIn addition, TrendForce says Apple will again put its plans for an in-house 5G modem on the back burner for another generation “because its mmWave signal test results cannot meet Apple’s requirements.” Apple is widely expected to use Qualcomm’s X70 modem in the iPhone 15 range, but this is the first time we’ve been given a specific reason why.
As for the periscope lens, this has been rumored for some time, though not as a Pro Max exclusive. Its inclusion would tie in with reports that Apple will widen the gap between the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models next year, possibly even calling the latter the ‘iPhone 15 Ultra’ and manufacturing it with a high-strength, low weight titanium chassis.
Having seemingly misjudged demand for its standard iPhone 14 models this year, Apple looks set to shake things up with the iPhone 15 range. Though I would not be surprised if all these upgrades come at a higher cost.
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