iPhone 15 Pro Could Feature Solid-State Unified Volume Rocker, Mute Button Instead of Switch

[ThailandToo]

Not the most important thing but I really like the current mute switch.

It’s one great thing that separates iPhone from Android phones. Cannot stand the lack of mute switch on Android. And someone else said you can see that it’s muted with an easy glance. Well, it’s easier than that as you can now touch it and know it’s muted for sure while in your pocket.

 

[bLackjackj]

Can't Innovate?🙄🤦‍♂️

 

[somnolentsurfer]

A mute button would allow automation of muting with focus modes or other conditions.

The status could be shown on the always on display.

You can also check whether the phone is muted, or mute it, by asking Siri when using AirPods, without having to take the phone out of your pocket.

Having to speak to your phone to ask it if it's muted completely negates the whole advantage of not having to take it out of your pocket.

 

[azentropy]

A mute button would allow automation of muting with focus modes or other conditions.

"Set Volume to 0%" started working in scripting (but still not Siri).

 

[somnolentsurfer]

If the screen on new phones can stay on, wouldn’t ‘mute’ be part of, the Lock Screen or any screen So you can verify with a glance? Same thing as glancing at a physical button, which you can’t see in the dark, but have to feel.

Not the same thing at all. In my pocket, I can check it without breaking eye-contact with the person I'm meeting. Why not have both?

 

[boak]

Would you still be able to change volume levels in your pocket?

 

[cmChimera]

But dropping the mute switch seems like an absolute no no to me.

Yeah I don't care about the volume buttons, but I absolutely would hate swapping the mute switch for a button.

 

[zapmymac]

I much prefer the setup of buttons that iPhone 4 had! Let’s circle back to that setup!

 

[somnolentsurfer]

I would prefer this than having to manually mute or unmute my phone throughout the day…with automations this isn’t an issue, like at all. There will probably be a software toggle in control centre as well

Automations are a power-user feature. Most people don't know how to use them. And they fail - when you have a meeting at a new location, or unusual time. The physical mute switch always works.

 

[mystery hill]

Having to speak to your phone to ask it if it's muted completely negates the whole advantage of not having to take it out of your pocket.

You could just glance at the always on display to check if it’s muted, or check the mute status from an Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, or AR glasses.

This is just another option for situations, like when your hands are dirty, where it may be easier to speak.

 

[Jarutais]

I guess the only REAL benefit of it will be that the device will be more resistant to water damage, the rest is gimmick

 

[somnolentsurfer]

You could just glance at the always on display to check if it’s muted, or check the mute status from an Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac.

This is just another option for situations, like when your hands are dirty, where it may be easier to speak.

It's not 'another option' if you get rid of the first option. And it's not a substitute for the advantages of a physical switch.

 

[LukeHarrison]

I quite like the buttons and mute switch as a last gasp of incredible tactility in the design. Saying that, the switch itself gets set to silent when I take my phone out the box for the first time and it never gets touched again so I don't think I'd really miss it. As long as they can provide a similar sensation with the Taptic Engine (which having had an iPhone 8 with the solid-state home button and various devices with taptic trackpads), I don't doubt it, then it'll be fine, we'll all get over it and the world will keep turning.

 

[somnolentsurfer]

I guess the only REAL benefit of it will be that the device will be more resistant to water damage, the rest is gimmick

And given that Apple's diving watch has physical moving parts, it's clearly not a benefit that worth giving up the advantages for.

 

[mystery hill]

It's not 'another option' if you get rid of the first option. And it's not a substitute for the advantages of a physical switch.

I meant asking Siri is one option, the other is checking the muted status on the iPhone always-on display, or using another device.

With the physical switch, I can’t mute my phone from my Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac.

 

[ELman]

This is going to be a weekend training session with my elderly parents.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Yeah I don't care about the volume buttons, but I absolutely would hate swapping the mute switch for a button.

I think they'll make them all Taptic, unfortunately.

My concern with this is that the Taptic Home button on Touch ID iPhones and iPads can sometimes lag a few seconds behind your input, especially when the device is overloaded with media playback and apps.

I fear a Taptic mute switch wouldn't react instantaneously if it's 100% digital, and wouldn't mute until iOS has caught up again (don't tell me your iPhone run without a single hitch 24/7. No device does)

 

[User 6502]

If the screen on new phones can stay on, wouldn’t ‘mute’ be part of, the Lock Screen or any screen So you can verify with a glance? Same thing as glancing at a physical button, which you can’t see in the dark, but have to feel.

I think you answered your own question. Currently one can check if the phone is muted without even looking at it. You can just put your hand in your pocket and feel the switch position. In the future you’ll have to take it out of your pocket and look at the screen, and in some contexts this might be almost as inappropriate as the phone ringing.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

And given that Apple's diving watch has physical moving parts, it's clearly not a benefit that worth giving up the advantages for.

This comment gets me thinking.

-With only solid state buttons and no physical buttons, it's 100% impossible to interact with your iPhone if your fingers are wet or the phone is submerged in water.

Well, besides Face ID. But having the phone unlock and you not being able to interact with it beyond that has to be annoying.

Also, no more underwater photos using an iPhone. Well, not unless you can attach some kind of physical button or special case.

 

[vultuk]

I meant asking Siri is one option, the other is checking the muted status on the iPhone always-on display, or using another device.

With the physical switch, I can’t mute my phone from my Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac.

“Do not Disturb” easy way to switch from another device.

I’m certainly another one that feels the current mute switch is one of the best features of the iPhone.

If you have never been in an important meeting and realised your watch was not muted, you’ve turned to your watch to mute and the important client says “sorry do you need to be somewhere”… You do not understand how powerful this switch is!

 

[tridley68]

Sounds like a winner.

 

[SeenJeen]

as someone who leaves their phone on vibrate 100% of the time

*shrugs*

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Stellar upgrade! If anyone is planning on not upgrading to a new iPhone 15 Pro line up. Sorry, you will be missing out. Big time!

 

[jlc1978]

Wow, the mute button being a button instead of a switch is a game changer. This could mean automating muting the phone using Siri Shortcuts/focus modes! I have wanted software support for muting my iPhone for YEARS especially with focus modes being a thing

While that is a benefit, the downside is you can now accidently mute the phone and not be aware you did that. The haptic feedback could be missed, or if you get it leave you wondering - did I mute it? Or unmute it? Let me check the display.

Apple needs to make such a switch from transparent aluminum with a micro led that glows orange when muted. After all, we can already talk to our computer, why not go the next step.

It’s one great thing that separates iPhone from Android phones. Cannot stand the lack of mute switch on Android. And someone else said you can see that it’s muted with an easy glance. Well, it’s easier than that as you can now touch it and know it’s muted for sure while in your pocket.

Unless, of course you've accidentally muted it and now unmute the phone.

This is going to be a weekend training session with my elderly parents.

Don't buy them a new phone... Seriuosly, that will be an issue. I've seen it when people switch from TouchID to Face ID.

I fear a Taptic mute switch wouldn't react instantaneously if it's 100% digital, and wouldn't mute until iOS has caught up again (don't tell me your iPhone run without a single hitch 24/7. No device does)

Mine does. It's completely stable and glitch free when the battery is completely dead...

This comment gets me thinking.

-With only solid state buttons and no physical buttons, it's 100% impossible to interact with your iPhone if your fingers are wet or the phone is submerged in water.

It also means if you are wearing gloves for some reason, no working buttons.

Well, besides Face ID. But having the phone unlock and you not being able to interact with it beyond that has to be annoying.

Blink once to raise volume, twice to lower it. Long blink to mute or unmute.

 

[bobcomer]

certain that "the mute switch will also switch to a singular press button,

Like that wont even be easier to accidentally mute your phone. I see more missed calls in my future...