The iPhone 15 Pro could get solid-state volume and power buttons
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The iPhone 15 is still a long way off, but we’ve already heard countless rumors about it. New to the stack is an analyst’s prediction that the Pro models will get solid-state, haptic buttons that don’t physically move and are flush with the phones’ bodies.
That’s according to Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O’Malley, based in part on comments made by John Forsyth, CEO of Cirrus Logic (via MacRumors (opens in new tab)). Cirrus Logic already provides some of the haptic technology found in today’s iPhones.
The company has reported new components coming to market in the second half of next year, which happens to be when Apple starts releasing new iPhones, and… well, you can see why people are joining the dots.
Click or turn
These buttons use vibration to simulate the sensation of being touched, even though they don’t actually move – see also the trackpads on newer MacBook models and the home buttons on the recent iPhone SE phones.
This supports a forecast we heard in October from well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He also thinks the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max (if that’s what they’re called) won’t have physical buttons, though apparently they’ll still be on the cheaper iPhone 15 models.
We should know for sure in September 2023. Using solid-state buttons would improve water resistance and reduce the chance of mechanical failure, although of course you won’t get quite as satisfying a clicky feel (at least in our opinion).
Analysis: Pro goes Pro-er
In recent years, we’ve seen Apple add more and more features to the Pro-level iPhones to make them more compelling options – and with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, they even had a faster processor for the first time.
It looks like this trend will continue next year, something we’ve been hearing for a while. It pushes consumers towards the more expensive models and means that the standard editions can be produced more cheaply.
Previous rumors suggest we’re looking at a jump to 8GB of RAM for the iPhone 15 Pro next year, as well as a periscope camera. There will of course also be an all-new processor, most likely the A17 Bionic (while the A16 fits in the standard iPhone 15).
There’s also been talk of an iPhone 15 Ultra, which could replace the iPhone 14 Pro Max in next year’s lineup. This would further differentiate the available models – and no doubt come with a hefty price tag.