Apple's touch buttons with click simulation may appear in future iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches
Apple is working on new touch buttons for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. They have no moving parts, but when touched, the user will feel as if they are pressing a regular button thanks to a special vibration that simulates a click.
Here's What We Know
The idea of such buttons originated in 2022 as part of Project Bongo, when Apple planned to introduce them in the iPhone 15 Pro. Solid-state buttons have the advantage of not wearing out due to the absence of moving mechanisms. In addition, they allow you to distinguish between light and heavy pressure to activate different functions. However, the project was then withdrawn at the late stages of development. Subsequently, there were rumours that the technology might be implemented in the iPhone 16 Pro, but this did not happen either.
The latest leaks from a well-known Chinese insider, Instant Digital, show that Apple has never completely abandoned the idea. Currently, the work on haptic buttons continues not only for the iPhone but also for the entire line of devices, including the iPad and Apple Watch.
The main problem that delays the implementation is the risk of accidental presses. The modern design of the buttons is integrated directly into the body and has no physical bounce, so Apple wants to make the response as similar as possible to a traditional button.
The project was temporarily postponed to focus on the development of displays and batteries in new models. Now, according to the insider, the work on tactile buttons is active again, but most likely they will not appear in the iPhone 17.
Source: Instant Digital
