Alleged image of the Apple iPhone 7 front panel reveals touch-sensitive home button?

An image, allegedly of the Apple iPhone 7 front panel, shows off something new about the home button. Instead of the physical button that iPhone users press to get back to the home screen, or to verify a fingerprint using Touch ID, a touch-sensitive button appears in its place. We can see that this button no longer sports the circular metal ring found on the handset ever since the Apple iPhone 5s was introduced.

While this new button doesn't actually depress, users will tap and hold to call for Siri, and double tap to see which apps they have open. This could be the final step before the button disappears altogether. We have heard some speculation that the 2017 iPhone will feature an edge-to-edge screen. The functions of the home button would be replaced by a certain area of the screen where users would tap to get the same tactile feedback they get from the use of a real button.

The advantage to iPhone users is that they don't have to worry about the wear and tear that can take place with the physical home button. In addition, replacing the button with a touch-sensitive one could also make Touch ID faster and smoother. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. There is a possibility that the phone in this photograph is not legit, especially with the change in position of the front-facing camera and the proximity sensor.

You might want to take this story with a grain of salt.


source: Mobipicker