60%
Plausible
With the iPhone 17 lineup now in the hands of consumers, the legendary rumor mill, which typically revolves around Apple's new products, is naturally shifting its focus towards next year's lineup. The iPhone 18, as well as the much-anticipated iPhone 20, which is due in 2027 and would commemorate 20 years since the first iPhone launched all the way back in 2007.
Now, a new rumor suggests that Apple is transitioning towards simplified buttons in stages. The iPhone 18 lineup is likely to adopt a less complicated mechanical button for camera control, which will be replaced entirely by solid-state buttons in the iPhone 20, equipped with haptics for user feedback.
Apple's journey towards simplified buttons: A less complicated mechanical button for the camera in the iPhone 18 to solid-state ones on the iPhone 20
Apple's current iPhone 17 lineup uses a camera control button that leverages capacitive as well as pressure sensors, located beneath a sapphire crystal surface.
Now, a tipster who goes by the username Setsuna Digital on Weibo has disclosed that Apple is likely to eliminate the capacitive induction layer within the camera control button of next year's iPhone 18 lineup, retaining only a pressure-sensing layer.
This approach is similar to the one adopted by many Chinese smartphone OEMs, including Oppo for its X8 Ultra and Vivo for its X200 Ultra, where pressure sensors are sensitive enough to recognize light taps, firm presses, and sliding gestures.
Next, for the iPhone 20 due in 2027, Apple is likely to transition towards solid-state buttons for:
- Volume keys
- Power on/off function
- Camera control
These solid-state buttons are likely to come equipped with a bespoke haptic feedback mechanism, reducing wear and tear in the process, and providing for cheaper repairs. The tipster claims Apple wants users to feel as if they were pressing on a mechanical button, and might resort to an advanced haptic feedback mechanism to achieve this goal.
Do note that Apple's iPhone 20 is rumored to resemble a pristine slab of glass, featuring a display that curves around all four edges, providing a borderless visual experience unmarred by bezels or cutouts. Solid-state haptic buttons would presumably aid Apple in achieving this goal.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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