In 2017, Apple eliminated the home button (known as Touch ID) from its mobile phones, securing more space on the screen of the iPhone X and later models while simultaneously launching Face ID which has become a mainstay in smartphones.

However, it seems that was not enough for Apple, which needs more space also inside of the mobile phones, making the next models even slimmer. Technology leakers believe that the company has already filed a patent for the design of a small rotating input device which will minimize the volume that an internal button occupies.

How will it work?

The mechanism operates like a speaker. An electric coil surrounds a permanent magnet, which moves every time power is applied. This way it will offer users the familiar tactile feedback sensation. In addition, there will be a pressure sensor which will record the applied force. In this way, developers will be able to design different functions according to the pressure the user applies to the button.

This specific solution, besides ensuring more space, also provides programmable feedback which will be useful in future smartphones as well as in smartwatches, on the iPad, and Apple’s headphones. These specific tactile feedbacks will be integrated into the future iOS upgrades.