With it now widely rumored that Apple has scrapped plans to introduce new solid-state haptic volume buttons with the iPhone 15 series this year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said that it is now “likely” that Apple will push the new feature to the iPhone 16 Pro, which is expected to launch in 2024.
Up until recently it was rumored that Apple may adopt a new solid-state button design for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which would see the new models ditch the physical volume and power buttons found on the current-generation devices for a new single non-moving solid-state button that will simulate the feel of physical buttons through software.
However, last month respected TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that “unresolved technical issues” had forced Apple to switch back to the familiar manual buttons for the iPhone 15 series.
Additionally, last week Apple supplier Cirrus Logic seemingly confirmed the iPhone 15 solid-state button cancellation rumors, noting how a new product it was working on for a customer that intended to launch this fall “is no longer expected to come to market as planned.”
Apple first introduced a non-moving solid-state Home button with the iPhone 7, which simulated the feel of a physical press by using the Taptic Engines to mimic the feel of a press by providing haptic feedback to offer the illusion of clicking and moving parts.