3D Touch was the single biggest selling point of the iPhone 6s, so naturally every other smartphone vendor is tripping over themselves and each other to add their own version of Apple’s pressure-sensitive iPhone feature to their next handset.

Because of this, a new report claims that force sensing module shipments will grow by a whopping 317 percent in 2016 to reach 461 million units. As a result, almost one in four new smartphones shipped will include the technology.

We’re already starting to see some evidence of Android makers springing into action to rip off Apple.

Samsung’s upcoming next-generation Galaxy S7 is reported to feature 3D Touch gestures baked into its Android software — following Samsung’s long history of “borrowing” whatever new ideas Apple comes up with for its handsets.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi (a company also known for its Apple impressions) is allegedly also planning to include a pressure-sensitive display in its new Mi 5 phone, although it’s said to be running into problems to secure the necessary components.

For its part, Apple clearly realizes that it needs to stay one step ahead of ripoff artists. In this case, it’s achieving it by relying on the ingenuity of app developers — sending out a recent email encouraging devs to make innovative use of the technology when updating their apps.

Source: Digitimes