It’s been a staple feature in Apple’s smartphones since the original iPhone launched in 2007, but it appears that the tech giant could be scrapping the mute switch on its upcoming iPhones.
Instead, a single volume and mute button may feature on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, according to images uploaded to TikTok by user @chenwen1987.
The designs, which were later posted on Twitter, show a model sideview which appears to have just one long button for adjusting volume levels.
Claims also suggest that this button will not physically move, providing only a press sensation using haptic feedback.
These ‘leaks’ come six months before Apple is expected to announce the unreleased iPhone models as it usually does each September.
It has been suggested that iPhones may ditch the mute switch following an alleged leak
Last year’s iPhone 14 has two volume buttons in addition to a separate mute switch for quickly cutting out sound.
Amidst the iPhone 15 rumours, some have speculated that Apple could be leaning towards more software customisation.
Tech Radar guessed that the mute button could potentially have camera shutter functions if settings were more adjustable.
A Twitter user also added: ‘My hope is that the new “silent mode” haptic button will be programmable to different actions.’
Another said: ‘I guess that mute button will be a normal clicky button so that they can use it as a hard reset button.’
Despite this, other images show that the iPhone 15 ‘base model’ still incorporated the mute switch, supporting those who would rather stick to using their muscle memory.
New model ‘leaks’ follow earlier rumours suggesting that several design changes were coming to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Just yesterday, tech reviewer Sonny Dickson uploaded images of what appeared to be glass panels for the unreleased phones.
The iPhone 15 Pro could be first iPhone ever with no physical buttons, if proven true
Some have also suggested that this button will not physically move, providing only a press sensation using haptic feedback like recent versions of the home button
Other images show that the iPhone 15 ‘base model’ still incorporated the mute switch
These images showed that the border between the screen and frame will soon be thinner than previous models, according to MacRumors.
The claim also supports other rumours from last month, suggesting that the iPhone 15 Pro could be first iPhone with no physical buttons and would feature a thinner bezel, thicker camera bumps, more curved edges and haptic side buttons.
This was shown in CAD (computer-aided design) files, obtained by 9to5Mac, that were reportedly given to third-party manufacturers of iPhone cases ahead of the device’s launch.
The website received these renders from a factory in China which was said to be a ‘reliable case manufacturer’.
Just yesterday, tech reviewer Sonny Dickson uploaded images of what appeared to be glass panels for the unreleased phones
iPhone 15 reportedly has a thinner bezel, thicker camera bumps, more curved edges and haptic buttons controlled by touch instead of physical buttons, leaked renders reveal
The publication said: ‘The specific CAD here comes from a factory out of China that is seemingly the first to get these files.
‘Historically, CAD files are accurate to the final device in terms of both dimensions and design, as having inaccurate ones would be costly to case designers and factories.’
Last month, the founder of ZONEofTECH also tweeted: ‘Almost 100% sure that the iPhone 15 Pro will LONG Unified Volume button, rather than 2 separate ones.
‘While making our iPhone 15 Pro Concept, we’ve found that Apple uses 2 pins on each of the 2 volume buttons. The iPhone 15 Pro CAD only shows 2 pins on a longer volume button.’
Apple has been approached for comment.
