A respected Chinese leaker known as Instant Digital claims Apple has quietly restarted “Project Bongo,” the long-paused effort to swap mechanical buttons for solid-state versions that vibrate to mimic a click. The scheme first reached iPhone 15 Pro prototypes before Apple scrapped it in 2024.
Beyond the iPhone
This time, Apple reportedly wants the technology across its entire mobile line, including iPad and Apple Watch. Industry sites note that next year’s iPhone 17 and Watch Series 11 are already deep in testing, so analysts expect the first haptic buttons to appear no earlier than 2026.
Lessons from a false start
Apple shelved the original design after lab tests showed false touches and higher-than-normal failure rates. Yet engineers kept filing patents that refined the concept, signaling the idea was merely on hold, not dead.
A step toward portless devices
Solid-state controls would eliminate moving parts, tighten water resistance and create space for larger batteries. Moreover, paired with Apple’s MagSafe charging, haptic buttons inch the company closer to its long-rumored portless iPhone—a design that could simplify compliance with changing connector laws worldwide.
What happens next
Apple’s recent shift to hybrid inputs, such as the haptic camera key tipped for iPhone 16, shows the firm prefers gradual rollouts. If Project Bongo clears technical hurdles, users may soon feel the same silent “click” already found on MacBook trackpads—only this time on every side of their favorite devices.
