Apple iPhone 18 and iPhone 20 Rumors Point to Simplified Controls and Haptic Future

As Apple continues its relentless march through innovation, new whispers are already swirling about what’s next for the company’s most iconic product line. With the iPhone 17 lineup now comfortably in consumers’ hands, the focus is shifting toward the upcoming iPhone 18 and the future-bound iPhone 20 – the latter expected to mark the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone’s debut in 2007.

According to emerging reports from industry insiders, Apple is on a gradual path toward simplifying physical button design, transitioning away from mechanical complexity and into the sleek future of haptic-driven interactions.

According to the latest leaks, the iPhone 18 will introduce a streamlined camera control button – a shift away from the current hybrid system that combines capacitive touch and pressure sensing. Instead, Apple is said to be removing the capacitive induction layer, leaving only a refined pressure-sensitive mechanism beneath a sapphire crystal surface. The new configuration would allow for subtle tactile nuances, distinguishing between light taps, firm presses, and sliding motions. This mirrors what other smartphone makers such as Oppo and Vivo have experimented with on their flagship models like the Oppo X8 Ultra and Vivo X200 Ultra.

But Apple’s longer-term ambitions stretch further. By the time the iPhone 20 arrives – projected for release in 2027 – the company aims to abandon mechanical buttons altogether. Instead, Apple is reportedly planning to embrace solid-state buttons across the board for volume, power, and camera controls. These new components would rely on precision-engineered haptic feedback systems to simulate the sensation of pressing a physical button. The benefit? Enhanced durability, fewer moving parts susceptible to wear, and potentially cheaper repairs over time. The approach is consistent with Apple’s broader philosophy of minimalism and longevity, pushing the iPhone closer to the vision of an uninterrupted glass slab where display, frame, and input merge seamlessly.

The shift to solid-state inputs would also help Apple realize its rumored bezel-free iPhone 20 design – a device described as a near-perfect piece of glass with a display that elegantly curves around all four edges. This design philosophy echoes Apple’s history of taking incremental but transformative steps. First came Touch ID, then Face ID; first came Lightning, then USB-C. The button evolution fits right into that pattern of controlled refinement rather than sudden reinvention.

Rumor credibility, as rated by industry trackers, currently sits at 60% (Plausible) – not confirmed, but supported by enough corroborating evidence to take seriously. While the tipster behind the leak, known as Setsuna Digital on Weibo, has a mixed track record, the timeline aligns with Apple’s design cadence and technological trajectory. If true, the iPhone 18 will act as the transitional model – the last generation with mechanical feedback – paving the way for the tactile illusion of the fully haptic iPhone 20.

Whether these changes excite or divide Apple fans, one thing is clear: Cupertino isn’t just reimagining how an iPhone looks, but how it feels to use. The tactile evolution could very well define the next decade of smartphone interaction.