Solid-state buttons may come to future iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch models after all as Apple allegedly restarts the project
Solid-state buttons with haptic feedback response and no moving parts may supplant physical buttons on future iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.
Leaker “Instant Digital,” who has a decent track record, said on his account on the Chinese social network Weibo that Apple has not entirely abandoned the idea of replacing the iPhone’s physical buttons with non-moving variants. As a matter of fact, it’s allegedly actively exploring using solid-state buttons on not just future iPhones, but for Apple’s “entire product line,” including iPads and Apple Watches.
“Instant Digital” said last month that Apple hasn’t given up on haptic buttons for future iPhones, saying the main concern is reliability, not cost, as a correct response is not “perfectly guaranteed” and there’s no rebound when clicked.
Project Bongo: Solid-state buttons coming to future iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch models
The leaker claims that the project has been resumed within Apple. There’s no time left to add solid-state buttons to the iPhone 17 lineup. Apple could add them to the iPhone 18 family next year or save the move for the twentieth anniversary iPhone in 2027, which should bring a major design change to the handset with under-display cameras and Face ID sensors.
We first heard about the solid-state buttons rumor in 2022. Apple was supposed to bring solid-state buttons with haptic feedback to the iPhone 15 Pros, but that didn’t happen. The current iPhone 16 family also didn’t get solid-state buttons, despite Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claiming otherwise. But “Project Bongo,” which is how Apple internally refers to the solid-state buttons initiative, wasn’t killed entirely if the latest claim from “Instant Digital” is anything to go by.
As opposed to physical buttons, solid-state buttons have no mechanical parts, making them more reliable and far less prone to failure. Apple’s implementation of solid-state buttons is said to include force sensors to distinguish between light and firm presses. Clicks are simulated via haptic vibrations. The iPhone 16’s dedicated Camera Control capture button is an example of a solid-state button.
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