hello. This is Technologytodaynow. There is a possibility that the iPhone 17 series, scheduled to be released in the fall of 2025, will introduce new button technology and user-customized features. In particular, the expanded application of action button and capacitive button technology is receiving a lot of attention.
iPhone 17 Series Expected to Apply New Button Technology
Expansion of action button technology
The newly introduced action button on the iPhone 15 series replaces the existing mute switch and gives users the option to set the features they want. This feature has also been extended to regular models on the iPhone 16 series, receiving positive responses from users. However, the action button technology is expected to be further developed on the iPhone 17 series, and recent patent data suggest that the volume button may also be upgraded to an action button type.
Key features of the patented action button
The action buttons identified through the patent are as follows.
- Various functions can be set: Change two volume buttons to action buttons in the customization format desired by the user
- Provides tactile feedback: enhances the user experience by vibrating or reacting when the button is pressed.
- Use personalized buttons: It can be used for multiple purposes by setting specific actions (e.g., double-press, long-press).
iPhone 17 series that may adopt capacitive buttons
The new capacitive capture button on the iPhone 16 series has received positive responses from some users, but there are opinions that users who prefer traditional buttons lose their iPhone-specific simplicity and are crude.
The capture button focuses on camera functionality, but the three action buttons focus on various features of the iPhone, which is expected to be more convenient when introduced.
On the iPhone 17 series, these capacitive buttons are likely to reappear in an add-on form.
Expected capacitive button improvements
- Precision input support: Provides the option to customize multiple features as well as camera shooting.
- Keep your design simple: Introduce sophisticated design that harmonizes with existing buttons.
Apple’s Ecosystem Expansion
The iPhone 17 series focuses not only on hardware performance but also on innovating the user experience. However, it is not yet known whether the technology will be applied to the iPhone 17 series that will be released next year, but if the related patents are successfully applied, the technology could be extended to Apple Watch, iPad, and MacBook.