Apple wants to patent its once discarded haptic button design, known as 'Project Bongo'

We could see haptic buttons on a future iPhone after all, as Apple's previously abandoned Bongo project has surfaced in a recent patent application.Apple's long-rumored haptic button design surfaced in a patent application. Image Credit: Apple / USPTOIn 2022, Apple came up with the idea of adding haptic volume and power buttons to more expensive iPhone models. Relative to the standard buttons used on the iPhone 14 range, the new haptic buttons would have incorporated a dedicated haptic engine for vibration feedback.The change was also meant to facilitate a visual distinction between Apple's base model iPhones and the more expensive "Pro" lineup. In April 2023, the hardware was abruptly removed from the iPhone 15 Pro, and it was believed that all work on the Bongo design had ceased. Surprisingly, however, it turns out that Apple had filed a patent application for its haptic button design. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apr 18, 2025 - 23:34

Apple wants to patent its once discarded haptic button design, known as 'Project Bongo'

We could see haptic buttons on a future iPhone after all, as Apple's previously abandoned Bongo project has surfaced in a recent patent application.

Exploded view of a door lock assembly with multiple components, including plates, knobs, and internal mechanisms, arranged in a layered sequence.

Apple's long-rumored haptic button design surfaced in a patent application. Image Credit: Apple / USPTO

In 2022, Apple came up with the idea of adding haptic volume and power buttons to more expensive iPhone models. Relative to the standard buttons used on the iPhone 14 range, the new haptic buttons would have incorporated a dedicated haptic engine for vibration feedback.

The change was also meant to facilitate a visual distinction between Apple's base model iPhones and the more expensive "Pro" lineup. In April 2023, the hardware was abruptly removed from the iPhone 15 Pro, and it was believed that all work on the Bongo design had ceased. Surprisingly, however, it turns out that Apple had filed a patent application for its haptic button design.

Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums