- Apple is reportedly still testing solid-state haptic buttons for its rumored 20th-anniversary iPhone expected in 2027.
- The new button system could work even with gloves, wet hands, or when the phone battery is drained.
- Rumored features for the future iPhone also include under-display Face ID, a borderless design, and a larger battery.
Apple is once again exploring solid-state haptic buttons for the upcoming 20th-anniversary iPhone model, which is expected to launch in 2027. The latest information come from Chinese leaker “Instant Digital,” who shared fresh claims on Weibo about Apple’s ongoing testing of the technology.
According to the leaker, Apple has reportedly made progress with the button system in real-world scenarios. The solid-state buttons are said to work reliably while wearing gloves, using the phone with wet hands, placing it inside a case, and even in extreme temperatures. Unlike traditional mechanical buttons, these controls would rely on haptic feedback to simulate the sensation of pressing a physical key.
A more seamless iPhone design could be Apple’s goal
The report suggests Apple is still interested in creating an iPhone with fewer visible hardware elements. Until now, industry rumors over the past few years have repeatedly pointed to a future iPhone design that looks almost like a single sheet of glass, with minimal bezels and no major cutouts.
Solid-state buttons could help Apple move closer to that vision. Since the buttons would not require traditional moving parts, they could fit more naturally into the frame of the device while still offering tactile feedback through vibrations.
Instant Digital claims the technology could extend across several controls, including the Side button, volume buttons, Action button, and Camera Control button.
The leaker also said Apple is testing an ultra-low-power microprocessor that would allow the buttons to remain functional even when the iPhone is powered off or the battery is fully drained. If true, that would be a notable improvement over standard button systems.
Apple has been linked to this technology before
This is not the first time Apple has been connected to solid-state button rumors. Back in 2022, reports suggested the company planned to include the feature with the iPhone 15 Pro lineup under an internal project reportedly called “Project Bongo.”
At the time, analysts and supply-chain reports claimed Apple was close to replacing mechanical buttons entirely. However, the feature never appeared on the final iPhone 15 Pro models. Similar rumors later surfaced for the iPhone 16 Pro series, but those plans also reportedly failed to move forward.
People started to believe that Apple experienced either technical problems or production issues when the company delayed its system development work because it needed more time to achieve perfect results.
Nevertheless, the latest leak indicates the company might still not have abandoned the idea completely.
Other features rumored for the 2027 iPhone
In the same Weibo post, Instant Digital mentioned several other features that have been rumored for Apple’s future anniversary iPhone. These include a dual-layer OLED display, under-display Face ID, and a front-facing camera hidden beneath the screen.
The leaker also referenced under-display audio technology, which could eliminate the need for a visible earpiece slit. Other rumored additions include reverse wireless charging support, a larger 6,000mAh battery, and a next-generation Ceramic Shield material.
Still, it is an open question what new information is coming from suppliers and what is basic estimation based on existing speculation surrounding Apple’s future.
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The 20th-anniversary iPhone remains unofficial
Apple will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027, which will probably include a major redesign that resembles the iPhone X launch from 2017. The device brought multiple important innovations to the market through its introduction of Face ID and its nearly borderless display.
Even so, the rumored 2027 iPhone is still a year away, and Apple is known for testing multiple concepts internally before deciding which technologies make it into final products.
Currently, reports about solid-state buttons and other advanced features remain under speculative status. The anniversary iPhone should be treated as an evolving concept until Apple makes official announcements about its upcoming device.
