The volume controls have quite surprisingly become the most buzzed-about topic in the iPhone 15 Pro rumor mill. Who would have thought that such a minor feature could generate so much speculation and debate?
The iPhone 15 Pro’s volume buttons have become an unexpected focal point in the latest round of rumors, with speculation rife that the device may undergo a significant change in its button technology. Reports suggest that the upcoming device may not feature the solid-state buttons that were previously rumored, leaving the design and functionality of the volume buttons up in the air.
It remains to be seen how Apple will address these rumors and what the final product will look like. Meanwhile, MacRumors has shared a new set of volume button renderings created by Unknownz21, adding to the ongoing speculation about changes to the volume buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro.
As a quick recap, rumors had been circulating that the iPhone 15 Pro would ditch its mechanical click mute switch and volume rocker in favor of a solid-state alternative that provides haptic feedback to simulate the click. This technology is already being used by Apple to mimic button clicks without the need for any moving parts, such as in the Home buttons and trackpads of their current products.
The buzz around haptic volume controls initially surfaced from predictions made by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Subsequently, several renderings based on computer-aided designs (CADs) have been making rounds online, showcasing the expected design of the new buttons and mute switch.
A couple of days ago, there was a disappointing development regarding the iPhone 15 Pro’s volume buttons. Supply chain analyst Jeff Pu reported that Apple is no longer planning to upgrade the buttons with solid-state technology and haptic feedback due to issues with the new system’s reliability. This news was later confirmed by Ming-Chi Kuo, who had originally sparked rumors about the upgraded buttons.
At present, there is no sign of Apple reversing its decision to opt for a single, elongated volume button and a mute button in lieu of a mute switch. With no significant design changes on the horizon, we have a good idea of what the buttons will look like. Leaker Unknownz21 has collaborated with MacRumors to reveal the actual design of the iPhone 15 Pro’s volume and mute buttons, which have not been seen before.
Unknownz21, the leaker who shared the design of the iPhone 15 Pro’s volume and mute buttons, stated on Twitter that there is no indication of any external changes to the buttons’ design. They suggested that any changes would most likely be internal rather than visible. The current EVT (Engineering Validation Test) units are said to use the existing button design, but they acknowledged that changes are always possible.
It seems that despite the numerous rumors surrounding the iPhone 15 Pro’s volume buttons, the latest design shared by Unknownz21 with MacRumors appears to be the most accurate. According to Unknownz21, the design was created before the recent solid-state rumors, and they are confident that the actual buttons will be identical to the iPhone 14 Pro’s design.
While changes are always possible, so far, there have been no indications of any major exterior design changes to the buttons. As rumors continue to evolve, it’s essential to keep up with the latest information to see how the iPhone 15 Pro will ultimately turn out.
Previous leaks about the iPhone 15 Pro’s volume buttons have been accurate in predicting a single rocker design, but the latest design incorporates a split in the middle to differentiate the volume up and volume down buttons. This split creates a visual impression of two separate buttons, although they are technically part of the same elongated button. This marks a significant departure from the current button design where the volume up and volume down buttons are clearly separate.
Source: MacRumors