If you thought the “iPhone’s would get solid state and tactile buttons” rumors had died down, well… they did too. But according to the Chinese leaker Instant digitalApple is back at this not just for future iPhones, but likely other products as well.
During the 2022 iPhone 15 rumor season, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple planned to replace the clickable power and volume buttons on high-end models with solid-state versions:
“My recent survey suggests that the volume button and power button on the new high-end iPhone 15/2H23 models may adopt a solid-state button design (similar to the home button design on the iPhone 7/8/SE2 and 3) to replace the physical/mechanical button design.”
At the time, he said Apple would “rely on Taptic Engine vibration motors to simulate the feeling of a click,” which clearly did not happen. The idea was reportedly scrapped after Apple ran into manufacturing issues.
Long live the Bongo project
Now, Instant Digital says Apple has resumed work on the initiative (codenamed “Project Bongo”), and has even expanded its scope. according to His position On Weibo, the company has begun exploring haptic button solutions across its entire product line, including the iPad and Apple Watch, not just the iPhone.
Claim of the Day (trans MacRumors) is based on a post he made about two months ago, indicating that Apple has quietly resumed the project. At the time, he said the biggest hurdle wasn’t cost, but reliability.
It remains to be seen if Apple has solved these problems. It’s entirely possible that the company’s experience with similar touch mechanisms in products like the AirPods may give it a better handle on the technology this time around.
However, don’t get your hopes up on the touch-button iPhone 17. If the feature does return, it likely won’t arrive for another two years, assuming it’s not canceled again.
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