Rumors persist that Apple intends to transition from physical to capacitive buttons in a future iPhone model. A recent supply chain report now claims that Apple has placed an order for a new capacitive button system designed to replace the physical buttons on the iPhone 16.
Last year, there was significant speculation that the iPhone 15 would adopt a new capacitive button design. However, those plans were reportedly derailed by manufacturing challenges in the lead-up to the iPhone 15’s launch. The latest report, sourced from the supply chain, indicates that Apple has placed an order with Advanced Semiconductor Engineering for a capacitive button system, suggesting that the company is targeting the iPhone 16 for this transition.
The order reportedly includes a system-in-a-package module that will replace the physical buttons on both sides of the iPhone 16 with capacitive buttons. This change will be accompanied by the addition of two additional Taptic Engine components, one on each side of the device, to provide haptic feedback when the capacitive buttons are pressed.
The report explains that Apple requires at least two system-level package modules to integrate the necessary components, including capacitive buttons and Taptic Engine motors, to eliminate the long-standing physical buttons, such as volume and power buttons, on the iPhone. These system-level package modules are reportedly being exclusively supplied by Sun Moon Light Investment Control.
It is important to note that this information should be treated with some skepticism. There have been no other reports from reliable sources to corroborate Apple’s switch to capacitive buttons for the iPhone 16 this year. While Apple may have indeed ordered capacitive button components from its suppliers, it does not guarantee that the change will materialize this year. Hence, it is advisable to approach this news with caution until further confirmation emerges.
