Apple Revives Haptic Button Development for Future iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches

Apple Reportedly Revives Haptic Button Development for iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watch

Apple is once again making headlines with a renewed push to develop haptic (solid-state) buttons—not just for future iPhones, but also expanding the technology to iPads and Apple Watches. According to a fresh rumor, Apple has restarted the project after previously shelving it, possibly due to unresolved technical issues.

Haptic buttons simulate physical presses through vibrations, offering customizable feedback while eliminating moving parts. This not only reduces mechanical wear and tear to zero but also opens up new gesture possibilities—like short vs. long presses or light vs. firm touches.

Originally, this feature was rumored to debut on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, but those plans were allegedly put on hold. Now, it seems Apple is going all-in on haptic input, though there’s still no official word on when the tech will hit the market.

The main hurdle so far has been the issue of accidental touches, but Apple may finally be closing in on a solution. If the rumor holds, the iPhone 18 lineup might just be the first to showcase this new button-less future.