This component, currently for sale through a Chinese parts store, is purportedly the flex cable for the iPhone 5’s home button. But we’re hoping that’s complete rubbish.
Why? Because if this really is the iPhone 5’s home button, it seems to rule out that capacitive touch home button that we’ve all been dreaming about.
Although slightly different, this component isn’t too dissimilar to that currently featured in the iPhone 4. That big silver circle you can see — that kind of looks a little like a watch battery — is what makes your iPhone’s home button pop back up when you press it.
If this piece is present on the flex cable for the iPhone 5, it would seemingly rule out a new capacitive touch button, indicating Apple has stuck with the traditional physical button instead.
The Chinese seller clearly states the component is for the “iPhone 5 (5th Generation),” and even states it is an “original” part, leaving this lengthy description:
– High quality and original home button flex cable for iPhone 5, not include home button
– It is used to replace your broken, damaged, cracked or unusable home button flex cable
– If the home button for your iPhone 5 is working only intermittently or not at all, this repair part will solve the problem
– Each item has been tested and in good condition before shipping
– This is not an easy job for someone who has no technical skills with Disassembling or Assembling Cellphones/mobile phones, so only purchase this item if you know how to install it
– Highly recommend professional installation. We will not be held responsible for any damages to your cellphone/mobile phone that you may cause during the changing of replacement parts
– Note: The tip of iPhone 5 home button flex cable has a little difference from that of iPhone 4, see the picture showsCompatible with:
iPhone 5 (5th Generation)Package included:
1 x iPhone 5 Home Button Flex Cable Ribbon Circuit Repair Part Original
If this part really is the real deal, then those hopes of a fancy capacitive touch button are down the pan — unless Apple comes up with a capacitive/physical button hybrid, but I can’t imagine that’s going to be the case.
Will you be disappointed if the iPhone 5 doesn’t have a capacitive touch home button?
[via RazorianFly]
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
55 responses to “Is This The iPhone 5’s Home Button? We Hope Not!”
Nope, I like physical action buttons (: easier to find in sunlight, and no accidental presses.
Please no capacitive touch buttons. They’re a nightmare in the real world…
Why the hell would you prefer a capacitive button?
My physical button has gotten so much abuse from multi-tasking, it’s barely usable. Apple needs to come up with a better system as I doubt that button was designed for so much clicking (and I’ve only had it for a year!)
Physical button for getting to the Home screen, capacitive swiping to swtich between apps.
How much is it? I need to fix my broken iPhone 5 Homebutton right now…
Btw, How about a Homebutton that you can press and perform gestures on?
They did the combo of touch & click w/ the trackpads, and Blackberry’s done it for a while now with the Storm – why wouldn’t they combine the two on the new home button?
I, for one, do *NOT* want a capacitive/touch home button.
I may be wrong, but I think there is another reason physical is better than touch: energy saving. To wake up with touch, the phone needs to stay in standby mode, to recognise the touch. To wake up with a physical button does not require standby, as it operates as a switch.
I would agree that the home button was not designed for multi-tasking access, and another solution should be considered.
I may be wrong, but I think there is another reason physical is better than touch: energy saving. To wake up with touch, the phone needs to stay in standby mode, to recognise the touch. To wake up with a physical button does not require standby, as it operates as a switch.
I would agree that the home button was not designed for multi-tasking access, and another solution should be considered.
the centre of the button may be functional, a few flexi wires to the connector- well more than 2 which is al you need for a conventional home button
me too.
Oh Cult of Mac, do you not remember the 3rd Gen iPod? the one with the capacitive touch buttons? that don’t work well?
How quickly we forget.
Why does everyone want a capacitive touch home button? Wouldn’t it activate every time you press it? When I play games I normally hold it by the home button so this would suck.
All experience I have had with capacitive buttons leads me to believe they are a generally bad idea.
Physical buttons for me please!
I fix iPhone 4’s all the time, and that is definitely an iPhone 4 home button.
“it seems to rule out that capacitive touch home button that we’ve all been dreaming about.”
Speak for yourself. I’m not interested in a capacitive button at all.
I prefer physical button. U have any problem with physical button?
physical home button is perfect! Killian, do you have any problem with that? then just use crappy Android Motorola.
Physical touch button isn’t going anywhere. That being said, adding capacitive touch to that same button is full of interesting possibilities.
since the home button broke on my first gen iPod Touch, I try not to use it that much on my iPhone 4…That said, I’d love to have 3-finger-gestures to bring up the multi-tasking menu in iOS 5
Physical buttons for me, plzzzzzz
Physical for me please, or maybe a hybrid.
I thought thst was the rumour a clickale gesture iphone 5 home button
Makes perfect sense. If it is both, imagine the dimension it would add to games, apps, etc. The main problem with touch screens is that you have to touch them. Your finger blocks things, your screen gets gross…….this would allow you to scroll and click. If it was a combo, I can’t see it being anything but useful.
I still ove using my iPod 3 because of those buttons. It was easily the best designed iPod UI.
the cable position is reversed.
The IPHONE is PRIMATIVE since you can’t replace the battery or add external memory cards.
WHEN these two features are available I will consider buying one of these things but not until!
Do u realy need those things I mean I have an Android and relly I dnt need those things I thinks all that is a thing of the past u mite as well say the iPhone should have a cd player one of the hardest things is to do is to make things simple