The Home button on the iPhone is the most crucial and frequently utilised. The mechanical switch for the Home button is subjected to a high level of use and wear and tear because it fulfils so many functions. As a result, the Home button, more than any other physical button, has been a source of frustration for Apple and its customers throughout the years. Since its introduction on the original iPhone in 2007, the Home button has come a long way. See how the Home button has evolved over time in the graph below.
Home Button of iPhone Models
A release of iPhone
In 2007, Apple unveiled the first iPhone, which set the bar for future touchscreen smartphone interfaces. Along with the fundamental capabilities, this iPhone introduced the Home button design as a rounded rectangular symbol. Because the button was primarily used to reach the single-press home screen, the first iPhone had a lower failure rate than its successors. The docking assembly, not the physical display assembly, housed the Home button. It was difficult to get to it, so if repairs were required, they were difficult: the Home button, which is part of the docking mechanism, required the phone to be totally disassembled.
The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS
The iPhone 3G was released in 2008, followed by the iPhone 3GS in 2009. In terms of the Home button, both devices were quite identical. Unlike the original iPhone, where it was part of the dock connector assembly, it is now part of the display assembly in these current models. The display assembly of the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS is separated into two parts: the glass assembly and the frame assembly. Without the other, one of them may be replaced. Because the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS opened from the front, removing the display assembly was a breeze. A malfunctioning Home button assembly was also straightforward to fix because it was part of the display frame.
The iPhone 4
In 2010, Apple debuted the iPhone 4, which featured a fully redesigned iPhone with a sleeker, thinner profile. Because of its redesigned design, it had to be opened from the back once more, making replacing the Home button and other components difficult. Because the iPhone 4 contained a fast app switcher and multitasker that could be accessed with a double press, usage of the Home button increased, resulting in more Home button failures. In 2011, the iPhone 4S was released with a few tweaks to the Home button. In comparison to the iPhone 4, not much has changed. A rubber gasket and glue were added to help secure the Home button to the display assembly. The underlying cable, on the other hand, remained unaltered, therefore the iPhone 4S experienced the same long-term disc depression issues as the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4S also included Siri, a virtual assistant that could be accessed by holding down the home button.
The iPhone 5 and 5C
In 2012 and 2013, Apple released the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5C, respectively. They had a redesigned, slimmer profile, as well as a flush-mounted Home button. They had a distinct feel, but the actual Home button was still linked to the screen and had the same ribbon wire underneath as the iPhone 4S. Apple put a thicker rubber gasket in these updated versions, as well as yellow tape to hold the connection and a smaller gap between the glass and the button. However, these modifications had no effect on long-term wear and tear on the metal disc, which finally fails.
The iPhone 6 and 6S
In 2014, Apple debuted the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S, which had the same fingerprint touch and cable issues as the iPhone 5S. Apple introduced Reachability with the larger screens of the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus: with just a double touch read on the Home button without pressing it, the iOS interface was lowered to allow it to reach any area of the screen with a single hand.
The iPhone 7 and later models
The Taptic Engine, which simulates mechanical pressure, replaced the physical Home button on the iPhone 7 for the first time. This iPhone was also the first to combine the “raise-to-walk” feature with automatic screen activation without the use of the Home button. The classic “slide to unlock” button has vanished. The iPhone X signalled the end of the Home button on Apple’s next smartphone. The Taptic Engine is still used in the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, although by 2018, all of the devices have followed the X line. The key on the side (previously the Sleep button) and different gestures have taken over most of the functionality of the Home button.
