Remember Apple's attempt to replace the iPhone's mechanical buttons with solid-state ones featuring haptic feedback? The buttons were supposed to debut on the iPhone 15 Pro, but were canceled last minute. However, it turns out the story doesn't end there.
According to Chinese leaker Instant Digital, Apple hasn't just kept the haptic button project alive – it's apparently expanding the concept across its "entire product line," including iPhone, iPad, and even Apple Watch.
The original Project Bongo was shelved late in development due to what sources described as "unsatisfactory test results and high hardware failure rates." But Instant Digital suggests the real culprit isn't production costs – it's the "mistouch" problem. Getting haptic buttons to respond accurately every single time is apparently trickier than Apple initially anticipated.
The current design reportedly integrates buttons directly into the device frame with zero physical movement when pressed. But Apple wants these haptic buttons to feel like real buttons, not like pressing on a ridged piece of metal. It's a delicate balance between technological simplification and user experience that the company is still trying to perfect.
We've heard whispers about haptic iPhone buttons for years, but bringing the technology to iPad and Apple Watch is a new design ambition from the company. Imagine an Apple Watch with customizable button zones that could change function based on context, or an iPad with pressure-sensitive edge controls.
The leaker claims Apple has "restarted" Project Bongo after putting it on the back burner to focus on display and battery improvements. Don't expect to see these buttons on the iPhone 17 lineup though, as the project sounds still like a work-in-progress.
