At first glance, an iPhone’s home button was an obvious focal point, serving as an entryway into the internet. Pressing it brought instant access. But this status no longer holds.
But now, Apple is abandoning their physical home button altogether and selling products without one – such as no longer offering models with physical home buttons on them. When was the last iPhone with one?
The iPhone 6
Apple had produced phones featuring physical home buttons until very recently; when you ask people to draw smartphones, many will come up with shapes resembling an iPhone 6. But it appears this iconic button may soon disappear from our phones altogether.
As smartphone technology has advanced, so have its features. At first, the home button was only clickable for back or unlocking purposes; over time however, its capability has expanded to read fingerprints and launch applications.
While these features were an exciting enhancement of smartphone experience, they weren’t without their drawbacks. Button failure can become increasingly likely over time and this was certainly true of iPhone 6 home button.
Apple replaced physical button failure with an on-screen home button, prompting users to rely on its use instead of pressing physical ones. As time passed and physical button failure became a greater risk, they ultimately decided to drop physical buttons from its devices entirely, starting with iPhone 7. Instead, haptics were used to simulate button press sensation and provide feedback when pressing.
This move was controversial, yet ultimately was the right call. It’s reasonable to expect a company producing products for over ten years to be able to ensure they work reliably for consumers who upgrade every year; although annual upgrades help companies improve hardware while remaining competitive, they can be frustrating for those without the financial means to afford expensive new phones.
Apple appears to be nearing the end of its lifespan for the iPhone 6, as reports surface that it won’t be updated until 2024 model year. If this proves true, rumors indicate that its successor may omit features like headphone jack and home button for better user experience. But those still hanging onto an older model shouldn’t worry; budget-minded users still have options with Apple offering iPhone SE as an economical replacement solution.
The iPhone 7
The physical home button was one of the most iconic symbols of iPhones, being used to power on, wake from sleep or close apps. If there was ever any issue with an app or system you needed help with, pressing it was often where people turned for solutions.
However, the Home button was far from ideal; being mechanical made it susceptible to wear-and-tear over time. For some Apple users this was an issue; repairs could be difficult and there was always the possibility it might fail altogether – becoming a symbol for phones unable to meet daily use demands.
Apple acknowledged this and moved away from physical Home buttons altogether in 2016. The iPhone 7 was the last device with a physical home button; instead it featured a solid, unmoving circle which used a new haptic feedback engine to simulate pressing it, yet did not move at all.
Additionally, the iPhone 7 featured a revamped Touch ID sensor which could be programmed to recognize various kinds of fingerprints and detect extra pressure – something which was often used as an indication that users wanted to return home or activate Siri.
This was a significant departure from Apple’s old approach to home buttons, and also enabled them to make use of 3D Touch, introduced with iPad Pro. Thus, the iPhone 7 represented an entirely reimagining of Apple’s flagship mobile device.
While this was an effective move, it did spark controversy. Apple’s own iPhone repair specialists expressed displeasure with it as they feared that Apple’s physical Home button could break or stop working over time and leave customers without recourse if theirs ever needed repair services. This issue has since been resolved as iPhone 8 models do not feature physical home buttons.
The iPhone 8
The iPhone 8 marked Apple’s final device to feature a physical home button. Additionally, this phone introduced glass material and wireless charging technology for the first time ever. Furthermore, Touch ID had to make way for Face ID, an innovative facial recognition security system which uses facial recognition technology instead.
At first, the decision to do away with physical home buttons was met with mixed reviews. Some saw it as too iconic a feature to change; others viewed it as weak points in design which might break over time. Regardless, in the end the decision was made to move beyond physical buttons and embrace gestures instead.
Although it was initially contentious, ditching the physical home button proved wise for Apple’s future success. Over time, smartphones became larger, making it less practical to have such an inconsequential piece on display when screen sizes continued to expand quickly. Furthermore, its use took up valuable space that could have been utilized more efficiently for other features like power buttons, volume controls or larger displays.
Apple made headlines when they released the iPhone X by completely forgoing physical home button design and opting instead for a bezel-less, more modern style that resembled more an iPad than traditional smartphones. Although initially met with much criticism, subsequent iPhone models have proven to be some of Apple’s most successful products ever released.
Apple has not provided any indication that their home button will make an appearance in future iPhone models, and it seems highly unlikely they will. After abandoning other iconic pieces of tech like headphone jack and CD-ROM drives, it seems certain that physical home buttons will follow suit soon enough and become history.
The iPhone X
The home button was an integral feature of an iPhone. It provided quick access to returning to the Home screen, opening multitasking or taking screenshots even while your phone was locked – as well as being an invaluable resource when trying to locate something in an unfamiliar app or website.
However, as Apple continues to push for phones with ever-shrinking bezels, the home button has slowly but surely been abandoned in favor of facial recognition technology. On its latest iPhone model X, this meant ditching its home button altogether for unlocking.
Apple took care to ensure all functions would still be accomplished via similar means when they eliminated the home button; for instance, doubled-sized power button makes pressing easier; when held down it activates Siri instead – taking over one main function from its predecessor.
Furthermore, the new screen features a “notch” at its top that houses all the front-facing cameras and sensors required for Face ID to work. While some users might miss having access to a physical home button again, most agree that the “notch” makes an iPhone even more visually appealing and advanced.
No one knows for certain if Apple will bring back physical home buttons on future iPhone models, but at present it seems unlikely. As smartphone industry moves towards larger displays with fewer buttons, companies would likely seek creative ways to accommodate all necessary functionality without compromising design or display quality.
If you want an iPhone with a home button, the smart move would be to opt for a refurbished device. These used smartphones have been thoroughly checked, tested, and repaired by professionals before being sold as brand-new units at much more reasonable prices – plus your purchase helps support local small businesses while reducing waste – it’s the best of all worlds! Browse through our selection of used and refurbished smartphones here; this selection includes the newest iPhone models!
