Experienced iPhone users probably remember how the principle of operation of the Home button was changed in iPhone 7. Then the standard mechanism was changed to a touch key that responded to pressure and simulated the feeling of pressure on it with the help of the Taptic Engine.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, next year with the iPhone 15 Pro, the company will repeat this trick, replacing the usual power and volume buttons. They will remain in place, but the mechanism will change by analogy with the old Home button.

“My latest survey indicates that the volume button and power button of two high-end iPhone 15/2H23 new iPhone models may adopt a solid-state button design (similar to the home button design of iPhone 7/8/SE2 & 3) to replace the physical/mechanical button design,” wrote Kuo on his Twitter.

At the same time, the “younger” iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models will leave the old designs.

And to implement the new idea, two more Taptic Engine vibration motors will be added to the iPhone 15 Pro, which will be placed next to the buttons themselves. So their number will increase to three in one device. From a practical point of view, such a change can be presented as an improvement in the durability of the device itself (for example, less risk of water ingress). And this can be an additional “plus” for the company’s more expensive smartphones.

The further fate of the sound mode switch is not specified.

Interestingly, Mr. Kuo’s prediction additionally affects Android smartphones. He predicts that similar technology may be used by competitors.