It was initially rumored that the iPhone 15 Pro models would come with a solid-state approach for the Volume and Power buttons. However, due to technical issues, Apple dropped its plans and reserved the feature for next year's iPhone 16 Pro models. It seems solid-state buttons will not be part of the iPhone 16 Pro models as well, according to an analyst.
After iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro now has a low chance of hosting solid-state buttons due to unresolved technical issues
Apple's solid-state buttons on the iPhone would ditch the mechanical approach and use additional Taptic Engines. Analyst Jeff Pu from Haitong International Securities previously stated that the "unresolved technical issues before mass production" will lead Apple to ditch the solid-state buttons in favor of the standard mechanical buttons. He further coined that the feature will not be part of the iPhone 16 Pro next year as well (via MacRumors).
Now, Pu believes that the solid-state buttons have a low chance of making it to the iPhone 16 Pro models, suggesting that the company had scrapped its plans in May of this year. Take note that the final word rests with Apple, as the company has been known to introduce features that have previously been scrapped. Additionally, if the company adhered to the unresolved technical issues, we could see solid-state buttons on the iPhone 16 Pro models.
The solid-state addition would allow the iPhone's buttons to be used in a non-mechanical fashion where the buttons would not physically move but register a command. The company was rumored to house three Taptic Engines inside the iPhone that will deliver press-like feedback. The company first used this approach with the iPhone 7, where it ditched the mechanical Home button in favor of a solid-state button that behaved similarly. The company also switched to solid-state trackpads on the MacBook.
As for this year's iPhone 15 Pro, Apple is still expected to replace the Mute Switch with a customizable Action button. However, the new button will be mechanical instead of housing solid-state components. The remappable button will offer various functions that you can assign to it, like initiating Sirim taking a screenshot, and more. You can check out all the possible functions of the Action buttons.
The solid-state buttons could offer improved water resistance capabilities of the iPhone as there will be one less opening for the water to enter. Furthermore, it would also enhance durability due to fewer moving parts, thereby reducing the chances of breaking. As mentioned earlier, Apple's plans could always change since the iPhone 16 Pro will not enter production for almost a year. Henceforth, be sure to take the news with a grain of salt.
