Gurman: iPhone 16 Pro 'Likely' to Include Haptic Buttons

[MacRumors]

For much of the iPhone 15 rumor cycle, we expected the higher-end Pro models to feature new solid-state haptic volume buttons powered by a new Taptic Engine. In April, rumors indicated that Apple had scrapped the feature, with plans to stick with standard volume buttons.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this weekend confirmed that Apple has nixed haptic buttons, and will instead introduce them next year. Gurman says Apple has been "wavering" on the feature because of the costs and the complexity. While internal test models still have the functionality at the current time, Apple is "likely" to hold solid-state technology until the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also claimed that Apple plans to hold solid-state buttons until the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro models, with Kuo attributing the delay to "unresolved technical issues before mass production." Solid-state buttons will be limited to next year's iPhone 16 Pro models, while the more affordable iPhone 16 models will retain the same volume button design as the iPhone 14 and the upcoming iPhone 15.

With the transition to solid-state buttons, Apple planned to change the design of the volume controls, adopting a single, unified button rather than a dual button design. That design change seems to be tied to the swap to haptic technology, and so the iPhone 15 Pro models will use the standard two button look for volume.

We are still expecting one notable design change, though, with Apple to adopt a mute button instead of a mute switch. The mute button could serve as an "Action" button similar to the Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra, with the option to program it to perform different functions.

For more on what's coming to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, we have a dedicated roundup.

Article Link: Gurman: iPhone 16 Pro 'Likely' to Include Haptic Buttons

 

[vegetassj4]

To haptic or not to haptic, that is the question. Here is a sure fire way to tell:

Original Magic 8 Ball

magic-8ball.com

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

How about bringing back 3D Touch with the Haptic Buttons?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1591217349935235072

 

[noSpeed]

Still don’t see the problem this is fixing. Is it introducing some new feature set?

 

[gaximus]

How about bringing back 3D Touch with the Haptic Buttons?

Yes please, I miss 3D Touch.

 

[Kylo83]

you don't say so, something next year is likely lol

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

What’s it going to take for Apple to bring back this volume button design? I miss simpler times!

 

[mystery hill]

The butterfly keyboard is more reliable than Gurman.

 

[StellarVixen]

What’s it going to take for Apple to bring back this volume button design? I miss simpler times!

I always appreciated machining quality of Apple's products. Rarely anyone else in the tech world ever gave that much thought to the elements, they usually stopped at "it's good enough". But not the Apple.

 

[siddavis]

The advancements here are mind boggling and it's just so hard to keep up. /s

 

[vegetassj4]

How about bringing back 3D Touch with the Haptic Buttons?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1591217349935235072

Yes please, I miss 3D Touch.

You want this, don’t you? The hate is swelling in you now.

Force Touch - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Realityck]

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this weekend confirmed that Apple has nixed haptic buttons, and will instead introduce them next year. Gurman says Apple has been "wavering" on the feature because of the costs and the complexity. While internal test models still have the functionality at the current time, Apple is "likely" to hold solid-state technology until the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro.

Of course these predictions are subject to change. Please don't blame me If I recall this prediction and its now attributed to iPhone 17 Pro in the future.

 

[MacGizmo]

The most disappointing thing about this rumor is that we're going to have to see it posted here at MR at least 3 times per week for the next 16 months, in the form of "Mark Gurman says,' 'Here's what to expect,' and the ever-popular 'Here's what we know" headlines.

 

[gleepskip]

OMG haptic buttons????? Take my money!!!

I know we're at peak iPhone, but this is sad... oops, i mean, "incredible"

 

[jz0309]

really? a phone that is to be released in 18 months from now is "likely" to have certain features? ROFL ... he continues to throw rumors at the wall and see what might stick ...

 

[erikkfi]

"Hm, it's more complex and expensive, makes current case designs useless, and gives no added functionality over what's currently available with real buttons. On the other hand, we developed it so we may as well use it."

 

[DaPizzaMan]

Still don’t see the problem this is fixing. Is it introducing some new feature set?

I thought the whole point was to further water-proof your phone, with the last port to remove being the charger port.

 

[Aston441]

I want haptic buttons, sapphire screen, no notch, under screen touchID, titanium casing, edge to edge screen, the DPI of the 8s in microLED, and the iPhone 5 size. And headphone jack.

That's what I want.

If they don't make that, Apple and Timmy can go the Hell.

 

[thebeans]

For much of the iPhone 15 rumor cycle, we expected the higher-end Pro models to feature new solid-state haptic volume buttons powered by a new Taptic Engine. In April, rumors indicated that Apple had scrapped the feature, with plans to stick with standard volume buttons.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this weekend confirmed that Apple has nixed haptic buttons, and will instead introduce them next year. Gurman says Apple has been "wavering" on the feature because of the costs and the complexity. While internal test models still have the functionality at the current time, Apple is "likely" to hold solid-state technology until the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also claimed that Apple plans to hold solid-state buttons until the launch of the iPhone 16 Pro models, with Kuo attributing the delay to "unresolved technical issues before mass production." Solid-state buttons will be limited to next year's iPhone 16 Pro models, while the more affordable iPhone 16 models will retain the same volume button design as the iPhone 14 and the upcoming iPhone 15.

With the transition to solid-state buttons, Apple planned to change the design of the volume controls, adopting a single, unified button rather than a dual button design. That design change seems to be tied to the swap to haptic technology, and so the iPhone 15 Pro models will use the standard two button look for volume.

We are still expecting one notable design change, though, with Apple to adopt a mute button instead of a mute switch. The mute button could serve as an "Action" button similar to the Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra, with the option to program it to perform different functions.

For more on what's coming to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, we have a dedicated roundup.

Article Link: Gurman: iPhone 16 Pro 'Likely' to Include Haptic Buttons

From a technical standpoint, how would a user initiate a hard reset if there are no physical buttons? Or are they still going to have a physical power button? I know, at least in my experience, a hard reset is very rarely necessary but still needs to be available when needed.

 

[RickDEGH]

It’s likely that the sun shines tomorrow 🤦‍♂️

 

[EightyEight]

Is there a way to filter out Gurman-related posts on MacRumors?

 

[xpxp2002]

Still don’t see the problem this is fixing. Is it introducing some new feature set?

It’s another solution in search of a problem.

The volume buttons and switch have worked fine in hundreds of millions of iPhones for 15 years. This just adds cost and complexity without any benefit.

 

[schneeland]

What’s it going to take for Apple to bring back this volume button design? I miss simpler times!

I guess this is a case of “Men and nations behave wisely when they have exhausted all other resources.”

Cynicism aside, I would love to see that design return.

 

[Candy Apple+ Nutz]

What’s it going to take for Apple to bring back this volume button design? I miss simpler times!

Best look and design, ever! They won’t bring that back, cause it “just worked” and looked good.

 

[75Batt]

From a technical standpoint, how would a user initiate a hard reset if there are no physical buttons? Or are they still going to have a physical power button? I know, at least in my experience, a hard reset is very rarely necessary but still needs to be available when needed.

It was previously rumoured that the new button design would be wcconoanied by a chip that works in ultra low power even after the phone us off, to ensure the buttons still work.