iPhone 15 Pro's biggest missing feature may not appear on the iPhone 16 Pro either

iPhone 15 Pro CAD render camera bump and buttons
(Image credit: 9to5Mac)

Rumors of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro getting solid-state buttons may be firmly put to bed already, but now it appears we won't see these new buttons on the iPhone 16 either.

Jeff Pu, analyst for Haitong International Securities (via MacRumors) says the chance of solid-state buttons on the iPhone 16 is "low." This is despite Pu previously suggesting the buttons would turn up on next year's Pro iPhones.

It was initially rumored that the iPhone 15 Pro models would swap out the familiar traditional volume and power buttons, plus the mute slider, for immovable solid-state buttons. But more recently, the company thought to be building the haptic feedback for the rumored buttons suggested that this would not be happening this year, which is as close to confirmation as we're likely to get until we see what the iPhone 15 series has in store this fall.

Solid-state buttons don't move, but instead offer the user haptic feedback to indicate you're interacting with one. If you used the iPhone SE (2022) or another recent iPhone with solid-state Touch ID/Home button, then you have a good idea of how this would work.

One button could still change

Although hopes for solid-state buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro seem to be thoroughly shattered, what we could still see on these models is an "Action Button.” This would replace the mute switch as a customizable input, similar to the Action Button already found on the Apple Watch Ultra.

Pu also predicts that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be getting more expensive for the first time since the Pro Max model's introduction. He doesn't tell us what the new price could be, but considering we're hearing the iPhone 15 Pro Max could introduce Apple's first periscope telephoto camera for enhanced zoom capabilities, chances are it'll be an extra $100 at least.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Richard Priday
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

Read more
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro — 7 biggest rumored upgrades
Iphone 17 pro max render next to iPhone 16 Pro Max being held in hand
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: 5 biggest expected upgrades
Renders of the iphone 17 in teal, green and dark green
iPhone 17 rumors — everything we know so far
iPhone 16 Pro Max shown in hand
iPhone 17 rumor reveals some Dynamic Island info — and it’s not good news
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
iPhone 17 just tipped for this long overdue Pro feature in new report
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
iPhone 17 just tipped for this Pro feature after years of waiting
Latest in iPhones
New emojis with iOS 18.4 beta release.
iOS 18.4 beta brings 8 new emoji to your iPhone — here's all the new options
An image of an iPhone screen showing the Safari app icon in the center
I got tired of Safari revealing my web searches in iOS 18.4 — this setting fixes that
iPhone Flip Concept
Foldable iPhone delays — there’s a bigger problem going on at Apple
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Render of the alleged design of the iPhone 17 Pro
New iPhone 17 Pro dummy leak highlights redesigned camera and part glass body
Siri in iOS 18 on iPhone
Users complain that Siri can’t answer even the most basic questions — here’s what we know
Latest in News
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Ultra 3 just tipped for two major upgrades
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 25 (#653)
A first look at Amazon's Fallout TV series coming to Prime Video
‘Fallout’ season 3 plans are reportedly being made — while season 2 is still filming
Surface Laptop 7 from the front
Amazon just gave Surface Laptop 7 a 'frequently returned' label — here's what's going on
New emojis with iOS 18.4 beta release.
iOS 18.4 beta brings 8 new emoji to your iPhone — here's all the new options
23andME box
23andMe has declared bankruptcy — here's how to delete your data now