Apple may remove Action Button on iPhone 20

Apple's 20th anniversary special iPhone model may come with a significant design change. It is claimed that the company will reduce the number of physical buttons on the device by combining Action Button with Camera Control.

Apple is preparing to take the simplification steps in smartphone architecture one step further. According to the latest leaks from China-based supply chain sources, the technology giant has discussed radically changing the control sequence on the side panel of the device with the iPhone 20 model. It is claimed that the company plans to completely remove the Action Button, which takes up space on the body, and combine all the capabilities of this mechanism with the Camera Control button.

Dual Functions and Solid State Technology in One Button

According to the new control scheme developed, the Camera Control button will take on a dual-stage usage scenario. While users can directly access the camera interface with a single click of the button, long presses will activate special commands and shortcuts defined for the Action Button. Aiming to gain critical hardware space in the side frame, Apple also wants to end the era of mechanical keys. It is envisaged that solid-state technology, which sits flush with the body, will be used in all power, audio and camera controls, instead of moving parts. These surfaces, which do not protrude from the frame, will simulate the feeling of pressing with advanced haptic feedback engines, although they do not physically move.

Four-sided Curve and Production Obstacles

The hardware simplification in question is combined with an assertive architecture on the outer shell of the device. Leaked information shows that a monolithic form with the screen glass protruding from four directions to the sides of the device is on the table. However, Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman points out that this four-sided twisted glass structure poses extraordinary difficulties in terms of manufacturing processes. It seems likely that the high margin of error and difficult production stages will be directly reflected in the cost tables and increase the consumer price. In addition, the collection of two critical hardware functions on a single tactile surface will directly affect the device ergonomics and daily practices of the end user.