20th-anniversary iPhone may introduce solid-state buttons

The 20th-anniversary iPhone will get solid-state buttons with haptic feedback on the sides, if claims about the curved-glass model turn out to be correct.

Apple is expected to be bringing out the 20th-anniversary edition of the iPhone in 2027, and there have been many wild claims about the model. Now, it is believed that the release will bring with it an often-rumored technology to its edges.

In a post to Weibo, serial leaker Instant Digital wrote on Tuesday about the various features they say will be included in the 20th-anniversary iPhone. While most of the features are fairly normal-sounding bits of speculation, it leads off with a hefty discussion about buttons.

To Instant Digital, the anniversary model will include a solid-state button on the edge. Apparently, it is a feature that is still undergoing testing in a variety of situations.

This includes being used with gloves, wet hands, under extreme temperatures, and through a case.

Helping the button’s operation is an “ultra-low powered chip” that will apparently detect the button’s use even if the iPhone is turned off.

This has been raised before by the leaker back in October 2025. At that time, Apple had apparently finished the “functional verification” of its solid-state button system.

Solid state buttons function by detecting changes in pressure, such as a finger pressing a device’s edge, instead of relying on a mechanical or capacitive system. The advantage is that manufacturers can create devices with seamless, smooth surfaces that aren’t interrupted by a physical button.

For Apple, this plays into rumors that it is considering an all-glass iPhone for the 20th anniversary. Using solid-state buttons would be an advantage there, due to it being a very aesthetic-focused release.

Solid State buttons have been a rumor that has circulated for quite some time, but has frequently failed to become a reality. In 2023, it was speculated that Apple would use solid-state buttons and a low-powered controller chip for the iPhone 15 Pro, which turned out to be wrong.

Other (obvious) specifications

The Weibo leaker added a number of other features to their post, which all sounds quite plausible. Either because it’s been rumored about before, or it’s guessable to the point of being practically obvious.

That list includes an under-display Face ID system using a sub-screen infrared system and an under-display front camera. Continuing the theme, they speculate that there will be “under-display sound,” which would eliminate the earpiece hole at the top of the screen.

A dual-layer OLED screen is also proposed, bringing the iPhone in line with the iPad Pro display panels. However, leakers say that Apple has moved to use a “four-micro-curve” OLED panel from Samsung for the iPhone 20.

For power, Instant Digital claims it will use a battery with a capacity of approximately 6,000mAh. Reverse wireless charging has also been claimed by the account, reviving similar unfulfilled rumors that go as far back as 2019.

Lastly, the leaker says that the front display glass will have “Ceramic Shield Ultra.” They admit the name is “made up,” but insists that the screen will not scratch while in a pocket with keys.

This too is a very easy prediction to make, considering Apple repeatedly updates the protective glass on its flagship product. It’s also something the leaker has previously latched onto as a rumor for earlier models.

Weibo leakers don’t have a great track record when it comes to accuracy, with many regurgitating rumors from elsewhere to engage their followers, with little to no analysis or fact-checking. Instant Digital certainly fits into this category, and the post certainly seems like wishful thinking on their part based on previous rumors.