iPhone X won't have a Home button, according to patent

Apple's patent teases smart materials will help usher in no physical Home button on iPhone X.

@anthony256

Published Feb 12, 2017 9:29 PM CST
Updated Nov 3, 2020 12:56 PM CST

47 seconds read time

We're getting to see more of Apple's hopefully revolutionary iPhone X, through a new patent application by Apple that uses a new material that's described as "deformable touch-sensitive quantum tunneling material", reports Patently Apple.

The new material could see Apple not using a physical Home button on the iPhone X, and it would allow the company to finally make a waterproof iPhone, something smartphone owners have been wanting for years.

Apple could also release a new 'Smart iPhone Case' which would feature touch-sensitive material, with the second layer "comprising a second touch-sensitive material disposed below the first layer. An electrical resistance of the first and second layers changes differently in response to application of a force to the first layer", reports Patently Apple.

Patently Apple's awesome deep dive into Apple's new patent is a great read - check it out.

Anthony Garreffa

Anthony joined the TweakTown team in 2010 and has since reviewed 100s of graphics cards. Anthony is a long time PC enthusiast with a passion of hate for games built around consoles. FPS gaming since the pre-Quake days, where you were insulted if you used a mouse to aim, he has been addicted to gaming and hardware ever since. Working in IT retail for 10 years gave him great experience with custom-built PCs. His addiction to GPU tech is unwavering and has recently taken a keen interest in artificial intelligence (AI) hardware.