## Unearthing Apple’s Secrets: A Glimpse at the iPhone 14 Pro’s Phantom Volume Button
While the iPhone 16 is now in our hands, the allure of Apple’s past designs remains strong. Unearthing prototype devices offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary journey of Apple’s iconic product. A recently surfaced iPhone 14 Pro prototype, in particular, sheds light on the intriguing saga of the almost-realized haptic volume button.
## A Blast from the Past: Pre-iPhone 13 Era Prototype
Early 2022 saw whispers of a revolutionary change for the iPhone 15 Pro: solid-state volume and mute controls. This ambition, however, ultimately didn’t materialize, with even the iPhone 16’s Action Button retaining its mechanical design. The YouTube channel “Apple Demo,” a treasure trove of prototype insights, has unveiled a rare iPhone prototype predating even the iPhone 13’s release, originating from May 2021. While iPhone 13 prototypes were nearing completion at this time, this particular model represents an incredibly early iteration of the iPhone 14 Pro, as evidenced by the presence of the Dynamic Island.
This prototype is a fascinating hybrid, borrowing elements from both the iPhone 13 Pro and 14 Pro. Its logic board mirrors the iPhone 13 series, yet it lacks a SIM card slot. Interestingly, the battery’s metal casing foreshadows the design found in the iPhone 16 Pro.
## The Elusive Haptic Volume Control: A Single Button’s Story
The most striking feature of this prototype is undoubtedly its single, unified volume button. This solitary control, replacing the traditional two-button setup, offers concrete evidence of Apple’s long-standing exploration of solid-state button technology. The engraving “RANGER-DROP” hints at the prototype’s purpose: rigorous durability testing, likely focused specifically on this novel volume mechanism. With dummy cameras and microphones, this device seems tailor-made for evaluating the resilience of the haptic button.
Rumors at the time suggested Apple’s grand vision of a completely buttonless iPhone, bolstered by additional Taptic Engines for enhanced haptic feedback. However, reported complexities led to the abandonment of this concept, a fate also met by similar prototypes for the iPhone 15 Pro. Even the current iPhone 16 series retains the familiar volume button configuration.
## The Future of iPhone Buttons: A Lingering Question
With even the latest Camera Control featuring moving parts, the future of solid-state buttons on the iPhone remains uncertain. Would you embrace this technological shift? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
## Further Explorations into Apple’s Prototype History
* A Macintosh Prototype with a Unique Apple Drive Poised for Record-Breaking Auction
* Unveiling an Unreleased Apple Watch Band: Silicone Meets Metal Buckle
* A Glimpse at One of the Earliest Apple Watch Prototypes
* AirPower Resurrected: Video Showcases a Functional Prototype Charging an Apple Watch
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
