Other Odd question, but what is the touch button on touch ID phones?

[Frijid]

I had my phone off the other day, but forgot it was off and tried to open it with my finger. I then realized it was off, but I noticed that when I tried to press it, it didn't click like a normal button would. I don't know when on, if the haptic feedback makes it feel like a psychical button, but I was surprised how it just felt "dead" when the power is off.

So that got me wondering, What exactly is it? Are they reliable? I know they've been around forever, but I knew someone who's button on their 4 wore out, but I remember that it was an actual mechanical button and different than the button on like a 7+ or 8.

 

[Runs For Fun]

It's finger print reader. The haptic engine is what makes it feel like pushing a button. The 6s SE 2016 was the last iPhone with a mechanical button. They are just as reliable as the old buttons, in fact even more so since there's no moving parts.

 

[Andropov]

I had my phone off the other day, but forgot it was off and tried to open it with my finger. I then realized it was off, but I noticed that when I tried to press it, it didn't click like a normal button would. I don't know when on, if the haptic feedback makes it feel like a psychical button, but I was surprised how it just felt "dead" when the power is off.

Yes, it's a very weird feeling. I think it's very cool, actually. A lot of people who have them never notice that it's not an actual button and never physically moves.

To answer your question, yes, it's *very* reliable. At least compared to a mechanical button. There's no point of entry for debris or splashed water into the mechanism, for instance.

 

[Significant1]

It's finger print reader. The haptic engine is what makes it feel like pushing a button. The 6s was the last iPhone with a mechanical button. They are just as reliable as the old buttons, in fact even more so since there's no moving parts.

Strictly speaking, the haptic engine is moving part, that wasn't used with the mechanical buttons ;-)

 

[Nermal]

There's no point of entry for hubris

I wouldn't be so sure about that; this is Apple we're talking about here!

 

[TechLord]

It's finger print reader. The haptic engine is what makes it feel like pushing a button. The 6s was the last iPhone with a mechanical button. They are just as reliable as the old buttons, in fact even more so since there's no moving parts.

Slight correction but the SE 2016 was the last with a mechanical button.

 

[Significant1]

Slight correction but the SE 2016 was the last with a mechanical button.

Yes, but they still live on, on iPad's if I am not mistaken, which also lacks the haptic engine.

 

[goobot]

Yes, but they still live on, on iPad's if I am not mistaken, which also lacks the haptic engine.

Yep, the 2020 iPad has one

 

[1rottenapple]

I had my phone off the other day, but forgot it was off and tried to open it with my finger. I then realized it was off, but I noticed that when I tried to press it, it didn't click like a normal button would. I don't know when on, if the haptic feedback makes it feel like a psychical button, but I was surprised how it just felt "dead" when the power is off.

So that got me wondering, What exactly is it? Are they reliable? I know they've been around forever, but I knew someone who's button on their 4 wore out, but I remember that it was an actual mechanical button and different than the button on like a 7+ or 8.

It’s an illusion,
It’s fake button

 

[retta283]

I always thought it felt more like the whole bottom glass of the phone was pressing down, not just the button. It's a different sensation than a little button, but it really does feel like real movement. Very good haptics.

 

[Andropov]

I wouldn't be so sure about that; this is Apple we're talking about here!

Debris. I meant debris. 😂

 

[now i see it]

The Fake button on the 7 & 8 & SE's sucks compared to the good old mechanical button on earlier models.
Definitely a downgrade in every way.

It's not like mechanical home buttons were fail points. I've never heard of a mechanical home button fail except on this thread.

1. It doesn't work with any type of glove on = Fail
2. The vibrating pop is inferior feeling compared to a real click of a button.

I've got a few phones that have both buttons and I don't like the haptic button at all. It was introduced as a cost saving change. It's not like mechanical buttons can't be waterproof.