iPhone 15 Pro Max Prototype Reveals Scrapped Haptic Buttons: A Glimpse into Apple's Design Process
In a surprising revelation, images of an iPhone 15 Pro Max prototype have surfaced, showcasing a feature that never made it to the final product: haptic buttons. This discovery offers a rare look into Apple's design process and the road not taken for their flagship device.
The Prototype That Almost Was
The Engineering Validation Test (EVT) prototype, codenamed 'Veyron', featured several key differences from the commercial model:
- Haptic power and volume buttons instead of mechanical ones
- A unified volume button design
- A slightly different Action button
These prototypes ran on an internal build of iOS 17, specifically designed for Apple's engineers during the development and testing phase.
Why Haptic Buttons?
The move towards haptic buttons was driven by several potential benefits:
- Increased durability due to fewer moving parts
- Enhanced water resistance
- More customizable user experience
Despite these advantages, Apple ultimately decided to stick with mechanical buttons for the iPhone 15 Pro series, likely due to technical challenges encountered during the development process.
The Future of iPhone Design
While the haptic buttons didn't make it to the iPhone 15 Pro models, rumors suggest that Apple hasn't abandoned the concept entirely. Industry analysts, including Ming-Chi Kuo, predict that we might see this feature in the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models.
Additionally, a new Capture Button is rumored to be in development for the entire iPhone 16 lineup. This button is expected to offer advanced camera controls, including zoom functionality through swipe gestures.
What This Means for Consumers
This leak provides valuable insights into Apple's innovation process and their willingness to explore new technologies. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max didn't receive the haptic buttons, the fact that they reached the EVT stage suggests that Apple sees potential in this technology.
For consumers, this could mean more durable and feature-rich devices in the future. However, it also highlights the importance of thorough testing in bringing new technologies to market.
As we look forward to the iPhone 16 series, expected to launch later this year, it will be interesting to see which of these experimental features make it to the final product. Will we finally see the haptic buttons in action? Only time will tell.
