Apple Reportedly Dropping Solid-State Buttons for iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Due to Complexity
With all the hype surrounding the next-gen iPhones, Apple has now decided not to include solid-state buttons in its upcoming iPhone 15 Pro lineup, despite rumors suggesting otherwise.
According to Ming Chi Kuo‘s latest survey, the Apple has encountered technical issues just before starting mass production, causing them to abandon the solid-state button design for their high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. Instead, Apple will now revert to the traditional physical button design.
My latest survey indicates that due to unresolved technical issues before mass production, both high-end iPhone 15 Pro models (Pro & Pro Max) will abandon the closely-watched solid-state button design and revert to the traditional physical button design.”
Ming-Chi Kuo
This decision is expected to have a significant impact on the company’s suppliers. Investors had previously believed that the new solid-state button design would boost revenues and profits for suppliers.
However, it now looks like Apple’s change of direction will be particularly unfavorable for Cirrus Logic, the exclusive Controller IC supplier, and AAC Technologies, a Taptic Engine supplier.
Another Taptic Engine supplier, Luxshare ICT, is expected to be less affected by this change. Luxshare’s larger operating scale compared to AAC Technologies means it can better absorb the impact of Apple’s decision to remove solid-state buttons from the iPhone 15 Pro lineup.
Fortunately, the iPhone 15 Pro models are still in the EVT (Engineering Validation Test) development stage, leaving time for Apple to modify the design. Also, removing solid-state buttons and restoring physical buttons should simplify the development and testing process. As a result, this change will probably not impact the mass production schedule or shipments for the iPhone 15 Pro models.
While this is all we know for now, rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information on the button design becomes available.
