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this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2024
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This is just more change for the sake of change because they really have no other actual objective improvement to make to the device.
I understand they claimed they needed room for internal components when they removed things like the button and headphone jack, but after having partially disassembled my own phone for DIY battery replacement the power and volume buttons are so minimal in volume that there can’t be any measurable gain for the consumer by removing them. The only potential gain is a reduction in manufacturing complexity and a cost savings for Apple. Personally I think this was the case for both jack and button as well. It wasn’t about internal space as much as it was eliminating components to save costs.
Personally, I miss the tactile button that confirmed a press and executed a function when that button was pressed rather than swiping up and hoping it catches the gesture right to switch apps or close them. Especially to get rid of the phone search window. Anyway, I don’t mean to be the guy that gripes about change, but IMO these changes are about profits and not the user, they remove valid and useful functionality.
I think replacing the physical home button with a haptic button on the iPhone 7 also helped them improve their IP rating (i.e., water resistance). I could be misremembering that, though, and I have no idea if it’s relevant in this case.
That was fine. IMO that worked pretty well.
The costs on such components is pennies, and Apple honestly isn’t shy about just charging more to cover their costs.
I do honestly believe they made those decisions to cut down on total space. The headphone jack alone is gigantic, and the home button required an entire bar of potential screen real estate dedicated to it.
Were there other options? Sure. They could have had the home button under the screen or something, but honestly their decision was likely the best choice. Which is only furthered by the fact that virtually everyone is doing the same thing now.
That said, moving from physical buttons to solid state buttons with haptic feedback… I don’t see how that could cost less. Honestly if it cost less, others would likely already be taking that shortcut.
I’d wager it costs a little more per phone, and they will charge an extra $100 for that “premium” feature. Simply because they can.