Kuo: 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.

Taptic Engine iPhone 6sThe Taptic Engine in the iPhone 6S – the first ‌iPhone‌ model to feature the component.

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."

Related Roundup: iPhone 15
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

MayaUser Avatar
27 months ago
Don't you need "real" buttons to turn on or force restart the device? Otherwise some part of the software needs to always work/run.
Score: 77 Votes (Like | Disagree)
james2538 Avatar
27 months ago

not if Apple increase the battery, but for say, you are right
Seems like increasing the battery size + additional Taptic Engines will just increase the weight for no real reason.

The iPhone Pro/Max are already heavy enough as it is. They just slowly keep getting fatter every year.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
verdi1987 Avatar
27 months ago

Copy that. I'm all for the return of rounded edges.
I hope that never comes to pass. :) It’s much less slippery with squared edges. It also makes the back glass easily replaceable if damaged ($29 with AC+ on iPhone 12 and higher vs. $99 on the rounded models).
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Will Co Avatar
27 months ago

Don't you need "real" buttons to turn on or force restart the device? Otherwise some part of the software needs to always work/run.

battery will take a hit.
The engine will probably have a deep sleep mode which is capable of handling a basic button press gesture without other hardware or software support. Such modes are common in power, supervisor and push button controller type devices. Means the rest of the device is fully powered down and this chip is sipping just uA or even nA of current. No significant effect on battery in this mode.

A bit more juice to run the Taptic feedback effects when fully powered up, but I don’t think volume and power buttons are a heavy use item anyway.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
james2538 Avatar
27 months ago

A bit more juice to run the Taptic feedback effects when fully powered up, but I don’t think volume and power buttons are a heavy use item anyway.
Uh, the power button? That’s used significantly throughout my day to turn off the display.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
teknikal90 Avatar
27 months ago
battery will take a hit.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)