Apple examines the design and different layouts of iPhone 16 Pro buttons
According to some reports, Apple is testing several different button designs, including the action button on the iPhone 16 Pro. It seems that Apple intends to make the design of the action button more optimized than the iPhone 15 series.
According to MacRumors reportsDuring the various stages of iPhone 16 Pro development, Apple tested four configurations and two sizes for the action button and the volume and capture buttons:
- Integrated volume button with small action button
- Integrated volume button with large action button and new Capture button
- Separate volume buttons, large action button and Capture button flush with the phone frame
- Separate volume buttons, small action button and frame-level Capture button (latest change)
In the latest design of the Proto2, the tech giant has once again changed the action button, now opting for a smaller action button.
iPhone 16 Pro button design
Early prototypes of the iPhone 16 Pro had an integrated volume button and a small multifunction action button, both on the left side, with a power button on the right. This design was originally developed as part of the Bongo project, which Apple intended to implement on the iPhone 15 Pro. While the project was ultimately scrapped due to various reasons such as high hardware failure rates, parts of Bongo’s design, namely the integrated volume button, made their way into early iPhone 16 Pro designs.
Later prototypes had separate volume buttons instead of the integrated button design. In these examples, Apple planned to add a capacitive action button and a capture button, both of which are flush with the frame and have special sensor technology.
Apple still has plenty of time to experiment with button layouts and additional features, as the iPhone 16 is several months away. As we get closer to the mass production stage, we will hear more details about the buttons and design of this phone.