Next iPhone to Have Force Touch Technology

Apple will introduce Force Touch technology on the next models of iPhone, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal.

Force Touch is able to determine soft touches from hard presses on the devices screen to be able to perform different functions.

The technology was first introduced with Apple Watch, and now resides on updated MacBook Pro and MacBook trackpads as well. Apple describes the Force Touch technology used on the trackpad of all-new redesigned MacBooks as follows:

“The new Force Touch trackpad may look like other trackpads on the surface, but underneath it’s unlike anything that’s existed before. Force sensors detect how much pressure you’re applying, and the new Taptic Engine provides a click sensation when you press anywhere on the surface. Now the click that once was a single, mechanical function is just the start of what you can do with Force Touch. The sensory capabilities of the Force Touch trackpad allow you to tell your MacBook what you want it to do based on subtle differences in the amount of pressure you apply. This makes it possible to perform a variety of different actions in different apps, all on the same surface. And it can respond with haptic feedback you can actually feel, making your MacBook more usable and personal than ever before.”

(Image below is of Force Touch trackpad on a MacBook from Apple.com)

Further detailing the Taptic Engine portion of the new MacBook Force Touch trackpad, Apple says “The Taptic Engine also provides haptic feedback, so instead of just seeing what’s happening on the screen, you can feel it, too. The trackpad sends a tangible response to your fingertip when you perform certain tasks”

It’s unclear if the same haptic feedback would come to the iPhone as well.

The Wall Street Journal article also states that Apple is planning on the next iPhone models to have the same 4.7″ and 5.5″ display as existing iPhone 6 hardware. Apparently Apple may add an additional pink aluminum color option as well, the report mentions.

Not much else is known about the upcoming revised iPhone models, but other rumors suggest the next iPhone model will include further upgrades to the devices camera. Assuming Apple follows prior “s” model updates, the iPhone 6s is likely to have faster processing capabilities and perhaps have 2GB of RAM as well.

The next iPhone, widely assumed to be called iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, is likely to debut sometime in the fall.