Will Haptic Buttons Show Up On Future iPhones, Apple Watch, Pencil, Vision Pro?

Haptic buttons, a design that Apple has contemplated many times in the past, but has shelved on iPhones until now, may make a comeback after all. A recent patent application and reports hint that the Cupertino major is considering putting solid-state haptic buttons in future iterations of the iPhone, and maybe other devices too.

The patent, describing a button design with an integrated haptic engine, was filed in September 2023, but came to light only this month. Formerly known in Apple circles as Project Bongo, the technology used pressure sensors and electromagnetic components to replicate the sensation of pressing buttons without the need for mechanical tapping. It produced haptic feedback in the same manner as the standard Taptic Engine.

Apple was reportedly considering adding haptic power and volume buttons to costlier iPhones in 2022. The new haptic buttons would have had a specialised haptic engine for vibration feedback, in contrast to the conventional buttons found in the iPhone 14 series.

The feature would have also served as a mark of distinction between Apple’s entry-level iPhone models and the more costly “Pro” range. 

Early iterations of the iPhone 15 Pro briefly had the design, which made it to the prototype stage. Additionally, it was tested on a limited number of iPhone 14 Pro prototypes and pre-production units of the iPhone 16. 

When the feature didn’t surface in iPhone 15 Pro—apparently because of high failure rates—it was thought that the Bongo design was axed for mass production. However, it seems to have made a revival with the company’s recent patent application for haptic buttons.

While Apple’s patent application doesn’t mention specifics, it notes that “various electronic devices,” such as cellphones, tablets, and more, may employ the Bongo design. What is even more interesting is that the application mentions the design may also be applied to head-mounted displays, wearables, wrist-worn gadgets, and even “electronic pencils.” 

This implies that the haptic button could show up on an Apple Watch, Pencil, or Vision Pro in the future. 

Apple hasn’t made any official statement, so whether the Bongo design will be used for a future iPhone or perhaps something else entirely is still up in the air. However, the possibility is very much there.