Rumor mill: For years, leakers have reported that Apple is working to get rid of bodily buttons from the iPhone totally. Though the corporate opted to maintain them on the iPhone 15, 16, and sure the upcoming iPhone 17, new data means that Apple is increasing its buttonless ambitions throughout a number of units.
Weibo-based leaker “Prompt Digital” (by way of MacRumors) lately revived rumors that Apple is exploring methods to exchange bodily buttons with haptic inputs. This radical change might debut in future iPhones and different cellular units.
Again in 2022, leaks indicated that the iPhone 15 may substitute its protruding energy and quantity buttons with touch-sensitive areas that use haptic suggestions to simulate bodily presses – just like the iPhone 7’s haptic dwelling button.
Nonetheless, each the iPhone 15 and 16 retained conventional buttons, and the iPhone 17, anticipated later this yr, will seemingly be no totally different. Lately, the rumors had quieted down, with stories suggesting that Apple had briefly shelved the venture.
Some speculate that Apple is step by step working towards a very clean iPhone, one with out buttons or ports, that depends totally on contact and wi-fi applied sciences.
Past providing a cleaner aesthetic, eradicating bodily buttons might enhance sturdiness. Fewer shifting components imply much less inside put on and tear, and eliminating exterior buttons and ports can improve waterproofing. Nonetheless, dropping USB help can be a dramatic and unprecedented design shift.
Though Apple hasn’t given up on haptics, accuracy stays a significant problem. Prompt Digital claims the corporate continues to be working to reduce unintended inputs, whereas additionally increasing these efforts to the iPad and Apple Watch.
In the meantime, the most recent iPhone 17 rumors recommend Apple plans to introduce a brand new mid-tier mannequin: the iPhone 17 Air. At simply 5.5mm thick, it would characteristic a 6.6-inch always-on OLED show with 120Hz ProMotion help and a brand new A19 processor.
Whereas the iPhone 17 Professional and Air fashions are anticipated to incorporate 12GB of RAM, analyst Jeff Pu believes the bottom mannequin will seemingly ship with 8GB of RAM and the A18 processor – the identical chip discovered within the base iPhone 16. Nonetheless, the newer machine might characteristic a barely bigger 6.3-inch show.
Apple usually unveils new iPhones within the fall, however the first preview of this yr’s software program updates will arrive subsequent week on the 2025 Worldwide Builders Convention on June 9. There, Apple is predicted to announce a rebranding of its working techniques, beginning with iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and extra.