In recent years, Apple has been working on innovative changes to its iPhone design, particularly when it comes to the buttons. Rumors have swirled about the potential adoption of solid-state buttons, but as of now, we’ve seen two iPhone generations released without this change. Now, new reports suggest that Apple might shake things up even further by merging the Action Button with the Volume Button in its upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models.
The iPhone 17 Pro could therefore sport one fewer physical button. Apple had initially toyed with the idea of implementing an elongated Volume Button with solid-state technology for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. This would mean replacing the conventional mechanical buttons with a single, elongated one that relies on the Taptic Engine for haptic feedback—similar to how the Camera Control Button functions.
According to a tipster known as Majin Bu, Apple is considering merging the Action Button and the Volume Button for the iPhone 17 Pro to create a more streamlined user experience. This speculation follows Apple’s recent trend of updating its button configuration. Last year, we saw the introduction of a new Action Button, and this year, a Camera Control button was added. Merging these buttons could be Apple’s next step in minimizing distractions for users.
The exact implementation of this change remains to be seen, but based on recent trends, it’s likely Apple could employ capacitive touch technology, similar to that used in the Camera Control Button. This button operates like a typical button but also features capacitive controls that allow for swipe gestures to perform different tasks.
If Apple does go forward with merging the Action and Volume Buttons, they could leverage this technology. A press might activate the Action Button’s functions, while simple taps or swipes could adjust the volume. While this is currently speculative, it aligns with Apple’s recent push for innovative button designs and simplified control mechanisms.
In parallel, Apple is rumored to be gearing up for the launch of the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, an even pricier option compared to the ‘Pro’ models. This device could serve as Apple’s experimental platform. Though the button merge is primarily reported for the iPhone 17 Pro, it may eventually be introduced to the standard iPhone 17 models as well.
So, do you think merging the Volume and Action Buttons on the iPhone 17 Pro is a smart move by Apple? We’ll just have to wait and see how this potential new feature plays out.
