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iPhone 15 Pro Low-Energy Chip to Allow Solid-State Buttons to Work When Device is Off or Out of Battery

I mean, do our iPhone ever be turned off at all, given the battery cannot be removed anyway? What’s next? We can only restart and sleep iPhone but never turn off?
Next question would be, how many more components will be powered by that microprocessor? Is there an OS running on that processor? I just can’t believe how Apple will make sure those buttons always work regardless and we would not need to rush to Apple Store just because a frozen iPhone we cannot restart.
 
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Let’s criticize a vague rumor and not give Apple any chance to explain how it actually works.

It will not be a big deal if; the buttons remain as functional and; extra functionality would be added justifying the change. Both seem possible to me. Let’s see.
 
Forget the Solid-State Button for the iPhone 15 This is where it's at.

1680088866011.jpeg
 
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With all these side button design changes with the iPhone 15 pro, I wonder how the cases will work on the phone’s functionality wise.
 
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I read many threads about the new iPhone where people say there are not enough changes. Yet threads talking about changes seem filled with complaints.

I definitely understand if this change doesn’t sound important. I understand there are potential issues with usability. But for me it’s hard to understand the assumptions that this will be bad.

I’m very curious to see what Apple does with this. If they release a configurable button like the Ultra Watch along with light up blinkie buttons then count me in. 🤓
 
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Got a feeling they’re cramming some of the tech from AirPods volume adjustment…
 
MacRumors said:
The source also claims that the new low-energy capacitive features are currently being tested with and without Taptic Engine feedback while powered off, but not while the battery is dead, however "whether this tidbit makes it to production or not is highly uncertain but IS being tested," they added.
Click to expand...
We’re almost five months away from September launch, if this core button functionality is still in hardware testing it will be in the iPhone 16, not the 15.
 
fatTribble said:
I read many threads about the new iPhone where people say there are not enough changes. Yet threads talking about changes seem filled with complaints.
Click to expand...

Apple having such a massive user base actually means they have to make changes slowly and consider how longtime users will be affected.

It‘s easier for Google to “innovate” and risk alienating users when the Pixel’s annual unit sales are about the same an an iPhone launch weekend.
 
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JosephAW said:
Using a physical button requires less power than a virtual button.

You'd think with all the ambient energy surrounding us that they could capture some of the energy from the various radio waves and kinetic energy to keep the chip powered 24/7:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Wait for the Pro Max variant. 😂
 
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Would have much rather them add 3D touch around the sides of the phone and then let me say squeez the bottom right or something to open camera. I like the mute switch and a static button wouldn’t be able to replicate it
 
They forgot to mention the best feature of using SS buttons: the volume can now finally go to 11
 
darngooddesign said:
We’re almost five months away from September launch, if this core button functionality is still in hardware testing it will be in the iPhone 16, not the 15.
Click to expand...
However, this is software testing since the core button functionality is being defined in software, not hardware.
 
nottorp said:
So they need to add an extra CPU to handle the solid state buttons that won't work with gloves and generally when it's cold. Smaaaart move Apple.

Can you please get out of your climate controlled Californian offices and use your prototypes somewhere with weather first?
Click to expand...
gloves?
 
hacky said:
It's a shame. I really want always on display, so I have to grab 15 Pro. But I would prefer classic tactile buttons from the non-Pro version. :/

What's the advantage of emulated buttons when it just brings more complexity to the whole device.
Click to expand...
Um… just get a 14 Pro then? They won’t cease to exist even when the 15 Pro releases
 
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contacos said:
I wish! But knowing Apple we will only get a limited option with little to no customisation options. Just look at the iPhone lockscreen. They finally did something with it but we still cannot replace or hide the damn flashlight and / or camera button!
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And why do we have a camera button *and* a swipe to camera??
 
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TheSynchronizer said:
Um… just get a 14 Pro then? They won’t cease to exist even when the 15 Pro releases
Click to expand...
I forget to add - I'm eagerly awaiting USB-C as well... Yeah, I'm one of those people. I even switched to Android for few years and now with USB-C I'm ready to jump back on the Apple train again.

Just to clear it up. I have whole Apple ecosystem (except for the watch) and it all runs on USB-C. Thanks to USB-C in my (Android) phone, I can now grab just one MacBook USB-C charger and I'm all ready. Same applies for my home - USB-C charger in all rooms and this one cable gets charged any of my devices I use. It's really great and I got used to it. I really don't want to break this up with one lightning device as weird as it may sound to some.
 
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Kissmo1980 said:
How do you turn on your phone when:
1 - Phone is shutdown
2 - You are missing your cable
?

Is the power button is standard?


EDIT: Why do people disagree with asking questions?
Click to expand...
Nobody disagrees with asking questions. The problem is that you can’t even be bothered to read the article.

You turn the phone on by pressing the power button, which works since the low power chip is always running.

Only when your phone battery is completely empty this won’t work. But then again, you wouldn’t be able to use your phone without energy anyway.
 
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hacky said:
I forget to add - I'm eagerly awaiting USB-C as well... Yeah, I'm one of those people. I even switched to Android for few years and now with USB-C I'm ready to jump back on the Apple train again.

Just to clear it up. I have whole Apple ecosystem (except for the watch) and it all runs on USB-C. Thanks to USB-C in my (Android) phone, I can now grab just one MacBook USB-C charger and I'm all ready. Same applies for my home - USB-C charger in all rooms and this one cable gets charged any of my devices I use. It's really great and I got used to it. I really don't want to break this up with one lightning device as weird as it may sound to some.
Click to expand...
I charge my four year old iPhone XR with my USB-C MacBook brick all the time. But I get what you’re saying, it was similar to when we moved from 30-pin to Lightning.
 
fatTribble said:
I read many threads about the new iPhone where people say there are not enough changes. Yet threads talking about changes seem filled with complaints.

I definitely understand if this change doesn’t sound important. I understand there are potential issues with usability. But for me it’s hard to understand the assumptions that this will be bad.

I’m very curious to see what Apple does with this. If they release a configurable button like the Ultra Watch along with light up blinkie buttons then count me in. 🤓
Click to expand...

Personally I don't care about changes, but if they do change something it better be useful. Haven't had one of those in a looong time.

I've actually rushed and upgraded my iphone 4S to a 5S when they introduced that feature that let you take phone calls on your laptop. Whatever it's named. But this is the last time there was an interesting feature for me.

Changes made in the name of thinness like losing the sim slot or making physical buttons solid state capacitive have downsides, freedom wise or just functionality wise.

I mean, sometimes they end up making a device unusable. Remember the emoji laptop keyboard that would clog in a week if you dared to use it outdoors?
 
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