With some 3D Touch features removed from the iPhone in the past year, people all over the world are wondering if they would be able to see the feature back on the new models coming this year.
In 2016, Apple introduced 3D Touch support, a touch-based interaction feature. By applying different levels of pressure to the touchscreen, a user would be able to access more features. For example, pressing on the icon of an app would give you an action view, allowing you to quickly perform a specific task. It was made available for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus running on iOS 10. And at the time, some people called it a promising feature.
In 2017, however, users started noticing that some 3D Touch features were gone after units were upgraded to iOS 11. Apple confirmed that the removal of the feature was intentional and was because of a technical restraint. Consumers speculated that it had something to do with the design for the next iPhone.
3D Touch support removed to cut costs
In January 2018, Apple commentator and KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed via Mac Rumors that three iPhone models will be launched this year. These include the 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch models, which would have OLED displays. Kuo says these two models would still offer 3D Touch functions.
The other iPhone is a 6.1-inch model with an LCD display. Although it doesn’t feature OLED technology, it is said to support Face ID and might have an edge-to-edge screen design. This, however, as Ming-Chi Kuo says via the Chinese site Feng, may not have 3D Touch. Kuo believes that this is due to cost constraints because of its updated display.
Apple will be using a technology called Cover Glass Sensor (CGS), which allows the display to be lighter and more shock-resistant. With the new technology, Apple may add a “thin film” sensor aside from the touch film sensor. The function of the extra layer isn’t clear, but it could be something to replace the 3D Touch feature.
This new display technology, however, raises the cost of the iPhone by around $23 to $26. Hence, the removal of 3D Touch.
If the CGS technology is something that Apple will be using for upcoming iPhones in 2019, this could mean no 3D Touch for all iPhones in the future. Although this feature is something we will not be seeing in the next few years, there have been rumors saying that Apple is working on other features like touchless gesture controls and a curved display.
Now that we have an idea of what to expect in the future iPhone models, not having 3D Touch may not be so bad. After all, the feature might be helpful for some but unnecessary for others. What we know for sure is that Apple isn’t done discovering new technology that users would appreciate in the future. As they say, “Change is inevitable.”
