iPhone 7 and 7 Plus to Feature Pressure-Sensitive Home Button With Haptic Feedback

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will feature a flush pressure-sensitive home button in place of the physical switch button found on previous iPhones, according to a Bloomberg report filed this morning.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the news outlet said that the new models will have a pressure-sensitive button "similar to trackpads in the latest MacBook line" that will provide feedback to the user via a vibrating haptic sensation instead of a true physical click.

Last month, Mac Otakara cited unspecified supply chain sources that it claimed confirmed the veracity of an April Stormmedia report suggesting the same thing. MacRumors has also heard the same rumor from DigiTimes and analysts at Cowen and Company, but Bloomberg's report today substantially increases the likelihood that the rumor is indeed accurate.

In addition, the article claims that the dual cameras now widely expected on the larger iPhone 7 will produce brighter photos with more detail, "according to a person who has used a prototype version of the upcoming device".

Both sensors, which each capture color differently, simultaneously take a picture, and the device produces a single, merged photograph, said the person.

The dual system sharpens photos taken in low-light environments, the person said. The combination of the merged photos from the two camera sensors also allows users to zoom while retaining more clarity, the person added.

Elsewhere, Bloomberg noted that the new iPhones will have no antenna bands running across the back of the handsets, and Apple will remove the headphone jack in favor of connectivity via Bluetooth and the Lightning port. That will make room for a second speaker, said the paper's source, who preferred to remain anonymous.

Other rumored features for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus not included in the article include a faster TSMC-made A10 processor, faster LTE and Wi-Fi, a slightly larger battery, and a minimum 32 GB of base storage.

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus next month. Pre-orders could begin Friday, September 9, ahead of retail availability on Friday, September 16, according to noted leaker Evan Blass.

Article Link: iPhone 7 and 7 Plus to Feature Pressure-Sensitive Home Button With Haptic Feedback

 

[Rogifan]

Just preparation for a buttonless phone next year?

 

[L_dorado]

Just drop the freaking button Apple!

 

[djcerla]

Didn't think about the 2nd speaker taking the place of the jack.

Given I've used the 3.5" port exactly zero times on my 6S+, and that I use the speaker daily, the switch is a very welcome one.

 

[levitynyc]

Come on. Just give us a smaller chin and bezel and I'll be happy.

 

[clukas]

But i like my buttons and switches on my phone .

 

[diddl14]

"said the paper's source, who preferred to remain anonymous"
As if we don't know it's Phill himself leaking all this ...

 

[BrodieApple]

To me when Apple implements a technology into their product, expect to see it spread across their product line. For example:
Multi touch iPhone > multi touch trackpads
Night shift > iPad Pro true tone display
Force touch (apple watch) > Force touch trackpads > 3D touch
Haptic feedback (watch) > trackpads > iPhone
Raise to wake (watch) > raise to wake (iOS 10)

Well I guess this might not apply for everything but yeah

 

[jonnysods]

They need to find a way to make the top and bottom bezel smaller so the footprint is a little smaller, I think that with be a great improvement.

 

[thekeyring]

Ok some might not understand what I'm saying, but when Apple implements a technology into their product, expect to see it spread across their product line. For example:
Night shift > iPad Pro true tone display
Force touch (apple watch) > Force touch trackpads > 3D touch
Haptic feedback (watch) > trackpads > iPhone
Raise to wake (watch) > raise to wake (iOS 10)

Well I guess this might not apply for everything but yeah

You're totally right - multitouch iPhone led them to have multitouch trackpads on the MacBooks.

 

[fitshaced]

Zoom on smart phones is pointless unless it is mounted to something to keep it stable. If the iPhone came with an ejectable tripod, that might be fun. But obviously will not ever happen.

 

[BrodieApple]

You're totally right - multitouch iPhone led them to have multitouch trackpads on the MacBooks.

Yes! I'll add that

 

[Rogifan]

Just drop the freaking button Apple!

Next year with OLED phones.

 

[WiiDsmKR69]

This is starting to look good.

Was a little worried, but then again I always am with new iPhone rumours, and have always loved my iPhone each time I buy a new one.

I still see the the removal of the headphone jack as slightly consumer hostile, but I guess in a couple of years it will seem trivial. Just like the 30 pin to lightning, like the refusal for dual sim / expandable storage / non replaceable battery etc.

Very keen to see this dual camera setup. Was very tempted by the Huawei implementation of it but each time I've used an android I realise how much appreciate iOS as a daily driver mobile OS.

While dongles / adapters will be annoying short term, I think it is a short term transition rather than Apple being stubborn.

Roll on September! As a have a 6 , I will also be looking forward to faster Touch ID, 3D Touch, "retina HD" etc

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I'm curious how the stereo speakers will sound, and if we'll get any new software features to take advantage of it.

I would normally be excited for stereo sound, but given that Apple is only going to drive to make the device thinner, outside of some audio trickery, it's not like they're going to sound great anyways.

 

[otternonsense]

I find it curious that Apple is still mum. Shouldn't a public event be announced and invites sent out already? It's in a month from now. Or will it be a silent update on their website?

 

[m.x]

I really hope they implement this - my main fear while using my iPhone is that the home button stops working since it is used very much (and mechanical).
They have the technology with their taptic engine, and it will be easier to make the iPhone waterproof.

The only question is how to restart the phone if it freezes completely, but they will solve this!

 

[The Game 161]

can tell we are heading to now button at all very soon. the press sensitive button sounds good to me

 

[Smeaton1724]

They need to find a way to make the top and bottom bezel smaller so the footprint is a little smaller, I think that with be a great improvement.

For me that's the next 'big evolution'. Merge the home button with the screen, the whole screen should be touch ID capable, force touch would help aid this and it would be good to be able to use it at any angle and on a larger canvas than the button area. Secondary is putting the front camera 'behind' the screen. Then a small speaker at the top for audio. This could reduce the bezels to 3/5mm on all sides.

 

[m.x]

I find it curious that Apple is still mum. Shouldn't a public event be announced and invites sent out already? It's in a month from now. Or will it be a silent update on their website?

They send out the invitations usually a week before the event. The timeframe for the event is around 09/09, I would expect invitations on first or second day in September!

 

[alvindarkness]

I'm curious how the stereo speakers will sound, and if we'll get any new software features to take advantage of it.

I would normally be excited for stereo sound, but given that Apple is only going to drive to make the device thinner, outside of some audio trickery, it's not like they're going to sound great anyways.

I was thinking the same thing. I find it hard to believe that stereo sound was the main goal, considering it will just seem like a single point source if its more than a few feet away (with the two speakers placed so close together). I imagine the second speaker's main intent will be compensate for a smaller set of speakers (if they are smaller), or slightly improve output quality (if they arent smaller). But I'm sure stereo will be in their marketing material if this rumour is true.

 

[MrGimper]

This again? Feels like Groundhog Day.....

 

[5105973]

It will be interesting to compare the dual camera results to those of the new larger lens on the smaller IPhone. Right now it doesn't sound that exciting but I'm sure they will give a good presentation of the capabilities when they debut it.

I'm hoping for increased color accuracy. When I did test shots from my iPhone 6sPlus at Best Buy, the blue rug there had a purple hue in the photos. Comparing it to a Note 7, which gave a more accurate rendition of the hue but jacked up the saturation a bit high, I found the IPhone color accuracy less desirable than that of the Note. But overall sharpness and focus were comparable under the same lightning conditions.

Any improvements to cell phone cameras are always welcome news for me.

 

[1Zach1]

This again? Feels like Groundhog Day.....

Just another month to go.

 

[Malcster]

For myself, I'm not convinced losing the headphone jack for a second speaker is a big enough win for that kind of loss... will be interesting to see what they do though, looking forward to the keynote to see the details.