Apple’s 20th Anniversary iPhone Rumoured To Get Solid-State Buttons
Apple may be preparing one of its biggest iPhone redesigns in years, and this one sounds properly sci-fi if the latest rumour is accurate.
According to Chinese tipster Instant Digital, Apple is testing solid-state buttons for its upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone model. If that sounds familiar, it is because similar rumours previously floated around the iPhone 15 Pro series before disappearing. This time, the idea is allegedly tied to a much more ambitious anniversary device.
What are solid-state buttons?
Instead of traditional physical buttons that move when pressed, solid-state buttons use sensors and haptic feedback to simulate a click. Think of it like Apple’s older Force Touch trackpads — it feels like something is pressing, but mechanically, there is no actual button travel.
For a phone chasing an all-glass look, that makes sense. Fewer moving parts, cleaner sides, and potentially better durability. But the big question is always the same: will it still work properly when your hands are wet, when you are using gloves, or when the phone is acting up?
The report claims Apple has already tested the system across tougher use cases, including glove use, wet-hand presses, and extreme temperature conditions. It also says the buttons rely on a dedicated low-power chip that can detect presses and provide haptic feedback even when the iPhone is fully switched off.
That last part is important. If Apple really removes physical buttons, the company needs the replacement to feel reliable, not like some fancy demo feature that becomes annoying after two weeks.
A full-screen, all-glass iPhone?
The 20th anniversary iPhone is also rumoured to feature a quad-curved display that blends into the sides of the device. This would push the design closer to a seamless glass slab, which is probably why solid-state buttons are back in the conversation.
The report also mentions under-display Face ID and selfie camera technology, using a dual-layer OLED panel also known as tandem OLED. On top of that, the screen and sides are said to use a newer version of Apple’s Ceramic Shield, with improved scratch resistance.
Another interesting rumour: no physical earpiece. Instead, the phone could use “under-display sound”, similar in concept to what we have seen before from devices like the Pixel 5 and LG G8. Whether Apple can make that sound clear enough for daily calls remains to be seen.
Why Malaysians should care
For Malaysia and SEA buyers, this kind of redesign matters because iPhones here are not casual purchases. Flagship iPhones already sit in premium RM pricing territory, so any major design change needs to bring real-world benefits — not just Apple flexing its engineering muscles.
Solid-state buttons could be great for durability, especially in our weather. Hot days, sudden rain, sweaty hands after a mamak session or gym run — these are normal Malaysian conditions. If Apple’s testing is legit, this could make the iPhone feel more dependable in daily use.
But there is also risk. Malaysians tend to keep expensive phones for years, pass them down, or resell them. If the new button system becomes harder or more expensive to repair, that could affect long-term ownership value. A beautiful all-glass iPhone is cool, bro, but repair cost also must be considered.
Bigger battery and reverse wireless charging?
The rumour also points to a 6,000mAh battery and reverse wireless charging. If true, that would be a major shift for iPhone users, especially gamers and heavy content consumers. Bigger battery life is always welcome for Mobile Legends, Honkai: Star Rail, TikTok, Grab, WhatsApp, and hotspot use during travel.
Reverse wireless charging would also be useful for topping up AirPods or accessories, though Apple has not confirmed any of this.
For now, treat everything as rumour. But if Apple really uses its anniversary iPhone to introduce solid-state buttons, under-display sensors, and a major design reset, this could be the most interesting iPhone generation in a long time.
Source: GSMArena
