Apple May Be Bringing Haptic Buttons to iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches

Highlights

• Apple is reportedly reviving haptic buttons.
• A new leak suggests Apple is developing solid-state haptic buttons for iPhones with plans to bring them to iPads and Apple Watches too.
• Unlike mechanical buttons, these won’t wear out over time.
• They can support different types of presses offering more flexibility and control.

Caption – Apple is still working on Haptic buttons, as per reports. (Image credit – Apple)

Apple has been rumoured for a while now to be working on haptic buttons for iPhones. So far, nothing has officially launched though. Now, according to a new rumour, it looks like Apple could be going all-in on haptic buttons.

Popular leaked on Weibo, Instant Digital has claimed that not only is Apple back to developing haptic buttons for future iPhones, but it might also be planning to bring them to iPads and Apple Watches as well.

Caption  – Recent Instant Digital post on Weibo. (Translated via Google Translate)

Haptic buttons were previously rumoured for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, but those plans were reportedly dropped. And prior to that, before the launch of iPhone 15 in 2022, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that Apple was working on solid-state versions of clickable power and volume buttons. Kuo said, “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.”

Now, if this new rumour is accurate, the project is back on. There’s no timeline just yet, so it’s unlikely we’ll see this feature in any Apple product this year.

The company clearly sees some big advantages. These are solid-state “buttons”, which don’t actually move. That means no mechanical wear and tear. Plus, they can support different actions, like a light press vs. a firm press, or short tap vs. long press, offering more flexibility and control.

he source of the rumour claims the main reason Apple hasn’t released devices with haptic buttons yet is because of issues with mistouches. It seems the company hasn’t quite figured that part out. It will be interesting to see if it will finally find a resolution in time for the iPhone 18 series.

FAQs

Q1. What are haptic buttons, and why is Apple considering them?

Answer. Haptic buttons are solid-state “buttons” that don’t physically move, reducing mechanical wear and tear. They can recognise different types of presses, such as light vs. firm presses or short taps vs. long presses, providing more flexibility and control.

Q2. Which Apple devices might get haptic buttons in the future?

Answer. According to a new leak, Apple is reportedly working on haptic buttons not just for iPhones, but also for iPads and Apple Watches, suggesting a broader rollout across multiple products.

Q3. Why hasn’t Apple released haptic buttons yet?

Answer. The main reason Apple hasn’t launched devices with haptic buttons is due to mistouch issues, meaning accidental presses were problematic. This issue reportedly led to the cancellation of haptic buttons for iPhone 16 Pro models, but Apple may resolve it in time for the iPhone 18 series.

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