iPhone 18 and iPhone 20 rumors point to a big change: Apple is reportedly moving from today’s mixed-sensor camera button toward fully solid-state controls, with a multi-year transition that starts next year and culminates in 2027.
With the iPhone 17 series now out, attention is shifting to what’s next. A new claim from a Weibo tipster suggests Apple will streamline the iPhone 18’s camera control button by removing its capacitive layer and relying solely on pressure sensing. That’s a notable change from the current iPhone 17 setup, where the camera control integrates both capacitive and pressure sensors beneath a sapphire crystal surface.
This simplified approach mirrors what several Chinese smartphone makers already do. Devices like the Oppo X8 Ultra and Vivo X200 Ultra use pressure-sensitive inputs that can differentiate light taps, firmer presses, and sliding gestures. For Apple, keeping only a pressure-sensing layer could make camera controls more precise while reducing complexity and potential points of failure.
Looking further ahead, the iPhone 20—expected in 2027 and poised to mark the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone—reportedly takes the concept to its logical conclusion: fully solid-state buttons. The rumor points to solid-state replacements for:
– Volume buttons
– Power button
– Camera control
These touch-based controls would simulate the feel of a mechanical click through advanced haptic feedback. With no moving parts, solid-state buttons can minimize wear and tear, improve resistance to dust and moisture, and potentially lower repair costs. They’d also support Apple’s long-rumored design goal for the iPhone 20: a seamless, “all-glass” aesthetic with a display that curves around all four edges for a truly borderless look, free of bezels or cutouts.
Key takeaways for shoppers and upgraders:
– iPhone 18: Expected to use a less complex, pressure-only camera button for nuanced control.
– iPhone 20: Rumored to adopt fully solid-state buttons with bespoke haptics across volume, power, and camera, aligning with a clean, edge-to-edge glass design.
As with any early leak, plans can shift before mass production. Still, the trajectory is clear: Apple appears to be moving toward simpler, more durable controls with tactile haptic feedback, paving the way for a sleeker iPhone design over the next two product cycles.
Rumor status: Plausible, with details that track broader industry trends and Apple’s long-term design ambitions.
