Will Taptic Buttons Be Available on the iPhone 16? While it was speculated that the iPhone 15 Pro versions might have solid-state buttons, the devices were released with standard mechanical buttons. The focus has now switched to whether the iPhone 16 series will still include solid-state buttons next year, although there are contradicting rumours thus far, as detailed below.
Will Taptic Buttons Be Available on the iPhone 16?
Solid-state buttons, like the Home button on the iPhone SE and the Force Touch trackpad on recent MacBooks, would generate haptic feedback when pressed to imitate the sensation of movement. Mechanical buttons, on the other hand, move when pressed. The iPhone 15 Pro models’ buttons are all mechanical, including the new Action button, which offers quick access to an assigned function.
Solid-state buttons may have fewer mechanical parts that can break and better water resistance. Solid-state buttons may also be flush with the iPhone’s frame, allowing for a more seamless design.
According to multiple experts and a leaker, Apple tested solid-state buttons on prototype iPhone 15 Pro models, but the firm apparently opted not to implement the modification before mass production began owing to “technical issues.”
Cirrus Logic, an Apple supplier, appeared to confirm that the solid-state buttons had been cancelled earlier this year, and it appears to have touched on the subject again. The supplier revealed the following facts in a shareholder letter this week:
Finally, we finalised the disposition of wafers related with a new high-performance mixed-signal (HPMS) product that was previously planned to arrive this year during the quarter. The disposition had no material financial impact, as expected.
Cirrus Logic disposed of these wafers due to Apple cancelling the solid-state buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro models, according to an email from an equity research analyst at British bank Barclays. Cirrus Logic was expected to give Apple haptic drivers that would have enabled this functionality, and the devices were expected to have extra Taptic Engines that generated haptic feedback when the buttons were pressed.
The analyst also stated that they do not expect solid-state buttons on iPhone 16 models because Cirrus Logic has disposed of its relevant inventory for the project, however, MacRumors contributor Marko Zivkovic believes otherwise. Zivkovic revealed last month that the entire iPhone 16 lineup will feature solid-state Action and “Capture” buttons.
The “Capture” button’s purpose is uncertain, and he warned that Apple’s plans could change again as development develops.
If the “Capture” button appears, it will be situated below the power button on the right side of the iPhone 16 models, according to Zivkovic. As a result, he stated that the mmWave 5G antenna window on iPhone 16 models sold in the United States would be relocated to the device’s left side, below the volume buttons.
This rumour was reportedly confirmed this week by a leaker on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, but it is unclear whether the account independently confirmed the information or was simply repeating Zivkovic’s claims.
Overall, rumours about solid-state buttons for the iPhone 16 series are conflicting, with some sources anticipating them and others not. Apple’s ambitions should become clearer as the devices’ September release date approaches.
Also Read: How to Customize the Action Button on your iPhone 15 Pro Max?
