iPhone 15 Pro action button: What we know so far
The iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to have a handful of new features, including a new action button that will reportedly replace the mute switch.
As Apple's "Wonderlust" event looms, we thought it'd be a great idea dive into some last-minute scuttlebutt on the controversial substitution — and you can decide for yourself whether it's a change you'll embrace or dismiss.
Whisperings about Apple's nixing of the mute switch first hit the rumor mill in late March when a MacRumors forum member, someone who also spilled the beans about the introduction of the iPhone 14 Pro's action button, let the cat out of the bag. They revealed that Apple planned to swap the mute switch, which allows users to quickly silence the phone with a new customizable action button.
Here's everything we know so far about the rumored about the potential iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max action button:
If the rumors are true, it will be customizable, allowing you to quick-launch a bevy of functions, including Voice Memos, Translate, Camera, Magnifier, and more (according to a leak in the iOS 17 code)
The action button would still allow you to toggle silent mode on or off, muting calls and alerts
You can run shortcuts that you've created in the Shortcuts app, including sending texts, launching a music playlist, or managing your smart home devices
Unlike the Ring/Silent switch, the new action feature will have a flat, traditional button design that mirrors the volume up-and-down buttons, which should increase the iPhone 15 Pro models' water resistance
Other new features that the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have are new titanium frames, ditching the former stainless steel material, making them sturdier, but more lightweight. We're also anticipating a new periscope camera, which reportedly doubles the optical zoom (6x vs. 3x). And finally, a new USB-C port, due to an EU mandate, is expected to be featured across all iPhone 15 models.