If it ever comes, Apples first foldable iPhone may ditch physical buttons entirely

Date:
Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:22:47 +0000

Description:
A new patent suggests Apple is working on developing a touch-sensitive iPhone chassis.

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Apples adoption of the touchscreen in its first iPhone proved a watershed moment for the technologys mainstream appeal, and the company may be
preparing to take things one step further with future iPhone models and, potentially, its first foldable iPhone .

As first spotted by Apple Insider , Apple has been granted a patent for the development of touch-sensitive, solid-state buttons that would allow users to navigate an iPhone using its edges, rather than its display alone.

Titled Electronic Devices With Display And Touch Sensor Structures, the
patent details how control circuits, batteries and other components would sit within the walls of an iPhone chassis. These walls may have opaque portions and transparent portions," the document continues, which may include opaque plastic, metal, fiber-composite materials and layers of other materials.

Weve previously reported on rumors suggesting that the iPhone 15 specifically, the Pro and Ultra models might get haptic volume and power buttons that don't physically move , and this new Apple patent adds further fuel to that fire. Touch-sensitive buttons are rumored to appear on the
iPhone 15 (Image credit: United States Patent and Trademark Office)

Even more interesting, though, is Apples solution for solid-state buttons on
a potential foldable device. Alongside basic illustrations of what may as
well be a foldable iPhone, Apple explains how touch sensors would sit within sidewalls (as opposed to conventional walls) made up of thin metal lines that are sufficiently small to be invisible to the eye." Apple illustrates how solid-state buttons might work on a foldable device (Image credit: United States Patent and Trademark Office) Analysis: A more efficient display
option?

In the new patent, Apple even goes as far as to explain why haptic, imperceptible buttons might be preferable to physical buttons in future iPhones. "It can be challenging [on conventional phones] to gather touch
input from a user and to display images for a user efficiently," the document reads. "For example, when a user supplies touch input to a touch screen display, the user's hand may block images that are being displayed on the display."

"In gaming applications and other applications, Apple continues, it may be desirable to use a touch sensor on the rear surface to gather touch input while displaying associated visual information on a display on the opposing front surface of [the] device."

Its worth noting that this isnt the first time Apple has flirted with the
idea of touch-sensitive iPhone buttons. We reported on the possibility of a wrap-around display for the iPhone 8 way back in 2016, but todays iPhone 14 line still maintains a conventional chassis structure.

That said, even if Apple doesnt reinvent the touchscreen with its next crop
of iPhones, its exciting to see that the company is actively accounting for foldable mobile designs in its new patent applications. Perhaps, then, it
wont be too long before the tech giant debuts a device that can compete with the best foldable phones on the market though we're not expecting to see an iPhone Flip for at least a few years yet .



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/if-it-ever-comes-apples-first-foldable-iphone-m ay-ditch-physical-buttons-entirely


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