iPhone 15 Pro Max renders based on multiple leaks
Perhaps the most well-known leak about the iPhone 15 range was their surprising upgrade to all-new solid-state volume and action buttons. Well, not anymore.
According to a new blog post by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has been forced to scrap the feature due to “unresolved technical issues.” Kuo doesn’t elaborate on what these issues were but does reveal that a much more familiar iPhone 15 Pro design will be the end result:
“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.”
Kuo states that the iPhone 15 Pro is currently at the EVT (Engineering Validation Test) development stage, so there is still time to modify the design, and it “should have a limited impact on the mass production schedule and shipments for Pro models.”
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max render showing the (now scrapped) solid-state volume button
The reception to this news is likely to be split. Personally speaking, I was excited to see how Apple would implement the solid-state buttons and how customizable they would be in software. Most notably, the Action button, which was going to replace the mute switch and was inspired by the Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra. The transition was also likely to have durability and water resistance benefits.
On the flip side, a lot of questions remained. Skeptics wondered how the buttons would work with cases, how natural the volume buttons would feel, and whether their flush profile would make them harder to operate with muscle memory. Reports of a new, dedicated chip just to operate the buttons (even when the phone was out of battery), also suggested that Apple may have over-engineered a solution to a problem nobody had.
Whether solid-state buttons return for the iPhone 16 range in 2024 remains to be seen. Either way, there is still plenty to get excited about for iPhone 15 Pro buyers, including a record-breaking design, next-generation A17 chip, and periscope (optical) zoom lens for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
As for those hoping the return to physical buttons will make Apple think twice about widely leaked price increases, I’d suggest that’s highly optimistic.
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Apple made an unexpected announcement yesterday that one of its much-anticipated features for the 2023 iPhone has been scrapped. The feature, which had been widely rumored since early this year, was to be an all-new, completely redesigned iPhone.
The new feature was set to include a range of updates and enhancements, including the very-welcomed improved battery life. Instead, Apple has opted to stay with their current iPhone design which has been well received ever since the launch of the original device in 2007.
While the news has been a disappointment to many, Apple insists that their decision has been made with customer satisfaction in mind. In a statement issued yesterday, Apple said that customer feedback from the launch of the new iPhone 12 Pro presented the company with strong evidence that the current design is well-liked by most users, and improvements in terms of battery life and other features can be made without radically changing the design.
The decision also comes in response to the increasing levels of sustainability and environmental awareness in the tech industry. Apple has been keen to show its commitment to reducing waste and unnecessary design changes, and wisely decided against the release of a completely new device which would have a significant environmental impact.
Ultimately, the news has meant that iPhone fans may have to wait until 2024 for a complete overhaul of the beloved device. In the meantime, it appears that the rumored improvements to battery life and other features should still be made available with the 2023 devices.
Overall, Apple’s decision to stay with their current design is great news for both customers and the planet as a whole. The combination of improved battery life and the lack of a major design overhaul makes the 2023 devices the perfect blend of new and familiar.
