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There is now a "low" chance that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with solid-state volume and mute buttons, according to Jeff Pu, a tech analyst at Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities. Pu shared this prediction in a research note today alongside some details about the more imminent iPhone 15 lineup.

iPhone-15-Pro-Multi-Purpose-button-Mute-Switch-Feature-Green-2.jpg

Solid-state buttons were initially rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models, but Apple reportedly faced "unresolved technical issues before mass production" and had to revert to mechanical buttons. Pu previously said the solid-state buttons would be postponed until iPhone 16 Pro models, but he now believes even those devices are unlikely to have them.

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic hinted at the solid-state buttons in a shareholder letter last year, but seemingly confirmed the plans were scrapped in May.

With a solid-state design, the buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro would not have moved when pressed. Instead, it was rumored that two additional Taptic Engines inside the iPhone would have provided haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of movement, similar to the Home button introduced with the iPhone 7 and the Force Touch trackpad on newer MacBooks.

iPhone 15 Pro models are still expected to feature a mechanical Action button in place of the Ring/Silent switch. It is likely that users will be able to assign the button to various system functions, such as Ring/Silent or Do Not Disturb.

With solid-state buttons now considered unlikely through 2024, it remains to be seen if Apple will ever move away from mechanical buttons on the iPhone. A benefit of solid-state buttons would be fewer moving parts that can break, and there is also potential for improved water resistance given there would be fewer points of ingress.

iPhone 16 Pro models are still over a year away from launching, so Apple's plans for the devices remain subject to change.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Pro Now Has 'Low' Chance of Featuring Solid-State Buttons
 
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What is wrong with physical buttons? I am so glad that my notebook still has really keys and not a touchscreen to type on. And do you still remember the old cars that had physical buttons instead of screens? I loved those.
In theory, solid state buttons would last longer than physical switches. OTOH, the type of switches Apple uses are rated for something like 1 million keypresses they wouldn't likely fail. (200 presses a day x 365 x 3 years = 220,000 presses). But there may be assembly issues that make the SS buttons a better choice.
 
In theory, solid state buttons would last longer than physical switches. OTOH, the type of switches Apple uses are rated for something like 1 million keypresses they wouldn't likely fail. (200 presses a day x 365 x 3 years = 220,000 presses). But there may be assembly issues that make the SS buttons a better choice.
9+ years is pretty good assuming anyone touches any current button 200 presses a day. The button is easily outlasting the rest of the phone. Solid state would have to be magic or much cheaper to be worth it.
 
Why is this such a big deal? I don’t get it.
People want their iPhones to be of the highest quality. Moving over to solid state buttons would be a HUGE drop in quality. I'll be upgrading from my XS to the 15 this year. I'm hoping that by the time I have to upgrade again, Apple will either still have the physical buttons, or the solid state buttons will increase in quality enough to be infinity times better than the home button on the 7.
 
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Just like Prossers infamous square Apple Watch, solid state volume buttons are not and were never going to happen! How on earth would they integrate with a case for example?

It's likely the rumour has come from the change of the physical mute switch to a flat button and it's been extrapolated from there. It's nonsense.
 
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