Apple’s iPhone 17 Design Change: May Only Have Three Buttons

The tech giant Apple is considering a major design change for the upcoming iPhone 17 series, which could reduce the total number of buttons to three.

Apple is preparing for a significant redesign with the upcoming iPhone 17 series. The number of physical buttons could be reduced to just three, a significant change compared to trends that add more buttons. As you know, iPhone 15 introduced the Action Button, replacing the traditional mute switch.

iPhone 17 series may feature a new design

Later, the iPhone 16 series added a new Camera Control button. The Action Button on the iPhone 15 series was designed to launch default apps or customize for different functions. Now, with the iPhone 16 Camera Control button, the concept goes a step further. This new button includes a module for taking photos and a capacitive part for zooming by sliding.

This means the iPhone 16 series now has five separate buttons. Apple is considering merging the Action Button and volume buttons into one for the new iPhone 17 series. The Camera Control button will stay on one side, while the Action button, combined with volume control, will be moved to the other.

This clever change could reduce the difficulty of reaching top buttons on larger models. Apple’s planned button could act as an Action Button when pressed and allow volume adjustments by sliding up or down. When held, it could launch an app or serve as a mute switch.

This design change is not only practical but also enhances durability for thinner models like the iPhone 17 Air. With fewer button gaps in the slim metal frame, Apple aims to make the device sturdier and more resistant to accidental damage. The iPhone 17 series could come with ProMotion technology, meaning even non-Pro models will have smoother scrolling and video playback.

Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to feature the A19 Pro chipset, produced by TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process, potentially boosting smartphone performance by up to 15%. Apple may also increase the RAM to 12 GB, compared to the 8 GB in the iPhone 16 Pro models.