If a new rumor turns out to be true, your future Apple iPhone cases will have more jobs to do than keeping your device safe from drops and accidents. Apple is reportedly working on iPhone cases with built-in touch-sensitive layers.
That"s according to the China-based leaker Instant Digital, who said on Weibo that future iPhone cases could feature touch-based sensor layers to act as secondary touch surfaces. Apple will design such cases for its Pro iPhones, the leaker added.
While little is known about the specifics of such a product, Apple appears to have been working on the tech for a while now. A 2024 US patent application spotted by MacRumors talks about "a case for an electronic device that provides input capabilities to enhance the user experience when using the case in concert with the electronic device."
According to the patent, touch-sensitive areas embedded in the case (either capacitive or pressure-based sensors) can trigger actions typically made by a phone"s physical buttons, such as taps or sliding gestures. The device will automatically detect the case after it"s attached and disable one or more physical buttons to receive input from the case"s sensors.
Just in case you"re wondering how the phone and the case will talk to each other, the patent describes using NFC (Near Field Communication) for identification and signal transfer. It also discusses versions of the case equipped with a fingerprint sensor for user authentication.
Not just smartphones, the patent suggests the concept can also apply to other electronic devices, such as smartwatches, laptops, remote controls, home appliances, and cases/accessories for these devices.
The rumor comes ahead of Apple"s 20th Anniversary iPhone, expected to launch in 2027 with a glass-centric design and a display that wraps around all four edges of the device. It has been reported that Apple has kick-started a three-year cycle of major iPhone redesign.
While Apple might want to replicate the success of the iPhone X, it could aim for a seamless design with an interactive case, rethinking how buttons work on a glass-focused design. Apple has previously explored solid-state buttons as a replacement for the iPhone"s volume and power buttons. Still, it can"t be said at the moment whether the rumored iPhone case is related to the 20th Anniversary iPhone.