In the run-up to the iPhone 15 announcement, it was almost certain that Apple would equip its new Pro smartphones with side-mounted, capacitive touch buttons, like those introduced with the improved home button. Now the roll backwards: Analysts Jeff Pu, Shelly Chou and Ming-Chi Kuo speak of “unresolved technical problems before mass production” (via MacRumors) that make Apple rethink.
First CAD renderings show the possible iPhone 15 Pro
Touch buttons only in the Apple iPhone 16 Pro (2024)?
Accordingly, the iPhone 15 Pro should continue to rely on classic physical buttons and hardly differ from its predecessor. It remains to be seen whether the previously leaked design changes, such as the significantly narrower screen bezels, will also fall by the wayside. After Apple only introduced the Dynamic Island (front camera) with the iPhone 14 Pro, it is also conceivable that there will be no optical changes at all this year. The analysts are currently assuming that Apple will not discard the plans for its solid-state buttons and the associated integration of additional haptic engines (vibration motors). It can be expected that the iPhone 16 Pro in 2024 at the latest will have the new switches.
Likewise, the “switch” to classic keys shouldn’t have a negative impact on Apple’s schedule. The iPhone 15 Pro is still said to be in the so-called EVT phase (Engineer Validation Test), which gives the manufacturer enough time to make any changes. It is also conceivable that Apple has already planned a backup solution in advance should the development of the touch buttons falter.
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