(Udaipur Kiran) — Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone, expected to debut in 2027, could bring one of the biggest design overhauls in the company’s history. According to a leak from tipster Setsuna Digital on Weibo, Apple is reportedly preparing to replace all traditional mechanical buttons on the iPhone 20 series with solid-state haptic controls.
A New Era of Touch-Based Controls
The leak suggests that Apple’s upcoming models will abandon the familiar click-based buttons in favour of pressure-sensitive solid-state buttons that simulate tactile feedback through localized haptic vibration. These will be used across all major controls — including the power key, volume buttons, operational toggles, and even the camera shutter button.
First Step with iPhone 18 Series
Before the complete transition, Apple will reportedly simplify the camera control button on the iPhone 18 (2026) by removing its capacitive layer and keeping only a pressure-sensing component. The iPhone 20 is then expected to advance this design by incorporating piezoelectric ceramic materials to enhance tactile response accuracy.
Beyond iPhones: A Unified Apple Ecosystem
The report also claims this design shift will not be limited to iPhones. Apple reportedly plans to extend solid-state button technology to future iPad and Apple Watch models, as part of its long-rumoured “Project Bongo”. The initiative aims to minimize accidental touches and ensure a uniform, responsive, and durable user experience across all Apple devices.
Advantages and Challenges
The shift to solid-state controls promises greater durability — as the lack of moving parts reduces wear and tear — and the potential for new input gestures such as firm presses, long holds, and swipes. However, ensuring realistic tactile feedback and fine-tuned sensitivity remains a major engineering challenge.
The report notes that Apple is still in the testing and validation phase, suggesting that mechanical buttons will remain in place for the next few iPhone generations while Apple continues to refine the technology behind the scenes.
If accurate, the iPhone 20 could mark the next major evolution in Apple’s hardware interface — one that redefines how users physically interact with their devices.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.