Despite adding new buttons to the iPhone, Apple is still nurturing a bold new idea.
An interesting paradox is happening at Apple as recent iPhone models have continuously added new physical buttons, the tech giant is said to still secretly nurture ambitions for a "buttonless" iPhone in the future. The latest leaked information shows that Apple is still continuing to develop solid-state button technology, despite technical obstacles and the related project being paused.
Rumors that the iPhone would ditch its mechanical buttons and replace them with solid-state buttons (which provide a sense of pressing with haptic feedback) have been around for years. This ambition seemed to have reached its peak during the development of the iPhone 15 Pro with a project codenamed "Project Bongo". However, that project was eventually canceled due to difficulties in ensuring reliability and user experience.
It seemed that Apple had given up on this idea, but according to leaker Instant Digital on social network Weibo, Apple is actually continuing to research and develop solid-state button technology. However, the company has no plans to launch an iPhone with this technology in 2025 (referring to the iPhone 17 series). The reason given is that the project is currently "on hold" due to accuracy issues (high risk of "mistouch") and Apple is prioritizing resources on improving display and battery technology.
It is worth noting that, while pursuing button-free technology - which is in line with the minimalist design philosophy of the legendary Steve Jobs and Jony Ive - Apple has gone in the opposite direction in the past two years. They introduced the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro and the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 Pro, adding new physical interaction methods.
In parallel with the development of solid-state buttons, another direction to create a more seamless device is also showing positive signs. Recent reports say that the European Union (EU) is unlikely to object to Apple launching a "portless" iPhone. This paves the way for the possibility of Apple completely eliminating the USB-C port in the future, switching to completely wireless charging and data transfer via MagSafe or similar technologies.
While next year’s iPhone 17 Pro may not be the buttonless phone many were hoping for, it’s clear that the ambition to create a more seamless, sturdier, and more water- and dust-resistant iPhone by eliminating mechanical components that are prone to breaking down is still simmering at Apple. The dream of a buttonless, portless iPhone may have been delayed by technological challenges, but it hasn’t been extinguished.