As previously rumored, new haptic buttons were scrapped in favor of more traditional volume buttons on the iPhone 15 due to production issues, but are still expected to feature a customizable “Action” button in place of the traditional Ring/Silent switch, according to 9to5Mac.
From the report: Instead of the solid-state buttons that we were once expecting, Apple looks to be reverting to a traditional button design with separated volume buttons. The significant change this year is a new mute button.
This mute button replaces the outgoing mute switch and is rumored to add additional functionality, with many speculating that it could emulate the Action Button found on the Apple Watch Ultra. It’s important to note that to differentiate the 15 Pro lineup from the 15 series, this new mute button will not be on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models; they will stick with the existing mute switch.
The iPhone 15 line-up will probably debut in September or October. Here’s a round-up of some of the other rumors about them:
° The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will introduce a new button press combination to power off and force restart the devices.
° They MAY feature solid state buttons and a unified volume button.
° The volume controls on the side of the iPhone 15 Pro may be a single unified rocker button.
° Pro models may pack 8GB of RAM.
° Only the highest-end model will sport a periscope lens. (That would be the iPhone 15 Pro Max.)
° The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro’s USB-C port and accompanying charging cables will feature a Lightning-like authenticator chip, potentially limiting their functionality with accessories that aren’t Apple-approved.
° The iPhone 15 models will sport support for faster charging speeds when used with MFi-certifiated USB-chargers.
° The iPhone 15 Pro will be offered in a “stunning new dark red color option.”
iPhone 15 Pro models will have improved LiDAR scanners that offer better battery life and improved performance.
° The iPhone 15 Pro Max will be thicker than its precedessor despite having a slightly reduced height and width, but it could offer a less protrusive camera rear array.
° The standard iPhone 15 models may lack support for ProMotion and an always-on display.
° The iPhone 15 Pro models will see a price increase due to several rumored hardware upgrades.
° The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will use a new ultra-low energy microprocessor.
° The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be equipped with frosted back glass like existing Pro models.
