Fall iPhone refresh may remove 3D Touch from all 2019 models

The 2019 iPhone refresh could see the wholesale removal of 3D Touch from all models, a supply chain report claims, with the tactile touchscreen interaction potentially switched out for Haptic Touch across the three models due this fall.

The iPhone's 3D Touch has been a long-term feature of the smartphone over the last few years, providing users with the ability to access a select number of functions from an app without opening it conventionally. The ability to bring up the menu may not necessarily be available for the 2019 launches, however.

According to industry sources of DigiTimes, long-term Apple suppliers TPK Holding and General Interface Solution are tipped to see sales grow in the second half of 2019. The same sources also claim "Apple may remove 3D Touch sensors from all 2019 iPhone devices."

In the current generation, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max offer 3D Touch capabilities, while the challenges of producing the iPhone XR's edge-to-edge LCD display meant it had to use a new similar interface type called Haptic Touch. If the report is right, this could mean 3D Touch could be replaced by Haptic Touch on all iPhone models due this year.

Reports from DigiTimes have mixed results in terms of predicting what actually makes it into future Apple product launches, so there is a chance it may be incorrect. However, switching away from 3D Touch may be beneficial to Apple as it removes the need to include pressure sensitivity to the iPhone display, saving space inside the case as well as the cost of production.

Despite the alleged removal of 3D Touch, report sources claim the companies will see strong sales due to continued orders for legacy iPhone models that use 3D Touch, as well as for touch modules destined for use in new iPad and MacBook models. In the case of GIS, chairman Chou Hsien-ying advised production is likely to ramp up from 500,000 to 600,000 units per month seen in the first half of the year to a million for the second half.

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16 Comments

boxcatcher 274 comments · 9 Years

About 5 years ago

A feature that is effectively hidden ... not surprised.

rob bonner 237 comments · 12 Years

Have suspected for years that this feature could be done in software. As you press harder the impression becomes bigger, so a enlarging touch circle would yield similar results.

maestro64 5029 comments · 19 Years

I kind of like the feature, the current problem is many apps do not use it so it not a muscle memory feature that is not automatic. For the apps that use it I find it is hard making sure i do not activate 3D when I only want to just highlight text to copy. This is because apps which do not use it a light press and a hard press act the same then you switch to the app with 3D touch if you press too hard to get something you did not want.

just my view of the feature not sure if I am going to miss it or not, but i do use it mostly with the Apple built in functions.

rogifan_new 4297 comments · 9 Years

rob bonner said:

Have suspected for years that this feature could be done in software. As you press harder the impression becomes bigger, so a enlarging touch circle would yield similar results.

Well whatever they’re doing with Haptic Touch isn’t nearly as good. I hope there’s an actual reason for dropping it besides penny pinching.

rogifan_new said:

rob bonner said:

Have suspected for years that this feature could be done in software. As you press harder the impression becomes bigger, so a enlarging touch circle would yield similar results.

Well whatever they’re doing with Haptic Touch isn’t nearly as good. I hope there’s an actual reason for dropping it besides penny pinching.

Guessing the juice is not worth the squeeze. Analytics probably indicate low usage, and when taken with the cost (in terms of $$, thickness and maybe adding something else to the display), was probably more expensive than it was worth overall.