The next-generation of iPhone may be looking to rid itself of physical buttons in favor of Taptic ‘buttons’.
In a Twitter thread, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple may be looking to tactile buttons for higher-end models of the iPhone 15.
Kuo Predicts Next iPhone May Swap Physical Buttons for Taptic ‘Buttons’
According to a Twitter thread by Ming-Chi Kuo, the higher end iPhone 15 models may be swapping the volume and power buttons from physical buttons to a “solid-state button design”. From the Twitter thread, the new ‘buttons’ would be similar to the Home button originally found on the iPhone 7, meaning Taptic Engines will help give users the feel of a physical button.
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My latest survey indicates that the volume button and power button of two high-end iPhone 15/2H23 new iPhone models may adopt a solid-state button design (similar to the home button design of iPhone 7/8/SE2 & 3) to replace the physical/mechanical button design.— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) October 28, 2022
Additionally, Kuo goes on to say that those supplying Taptic Engines to Apple “will be significant beneficiaries”. With Apple potentially moving the iPhone 15 from one Taptic Engine to three, Kuo states main supplier Luxshare ICT and secondary supplier AAC Technologies will greatly benefit from this decision.
This also means the next-generation iPhone 15 will see further segmentation between lower and higher end models. This is similar in the way the new iPhone 14 has segmentation between Pro and non-Pro models, and Kuo predicts this trend will continue.
The Long and Winding Road of Rumors
In terms of other iPhone 15 news, many are expecting Apple to officially make the switch from Lightning to USB-C. With recent EU regulations dictating a common charging port across devices, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicts Apple will make the switch before the deadline.
However, there are some expressing doubts.
i will shave my eyebrows AND head the day that the iPhone 15 is officially announced with USB-C
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) October 26, 2022
With the recent news concerning the release of the new iPads and Apple Pencil adaptability, it seems Apple is already (slowly) making the switch to USB-C, with some hiccups. While not confirmed, it is possible that Apple has been anticipating the EU’s decision regarding USB-C, and has been attempting to get ahead of the situation.
Seeing as how we likely have a year until the release of the iPhone 15, more rumors will likely begin to trickle-down from Apple about the new device.
What do you think about the iPhone 15 making the switch? What are your thoughts on the recent segmentation within iPhone models? Let us know in the comments.