Xiaomi Allegedly Working on Buttonless Smartphone, Potentially Sparking Competition for iPhone to Adopt Similar Design
Get ready to bid goodbye to those physical buttons, as the smartphone world waves them farewell 👋️ That's right - the day of the button Could be numbered, just like video rental stores and DVDs, slowly disappearing into the annals of history. While it might take some time for smartphones sold in the US to jump on board, international manufacturers are already talking shop about ditching the physical buttons from their smartphones.
The chatter is coming from the deep, dark corners of the Android rumor mill - you know, the places where billionaire-backed carbon fiber submarines dive to unearth long-lost smartphone secrets. Of course, one cannot fully trust everything that comes from the murky waters of the rumor mill. Yet, one rumored source, SmartPrix, shared a report from a tipster claiming to have exclusive info on Xiaomi's planned button-less smartphone set to launch in 2025. The device, codenamed "zhuque," is said to be incorporating the next Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 4 processor and will boast an under-display selfie camera - not to mention, zero physical buttons!
However, at this point, the project is still in the early stages (c'mon, are we really buying this?), so not much is known about how the buttons will function, whether gesture controls, pressure sensitivity, or voice commands will be involved, or if the zhuque will abandon all buttons entirely and adopt full voice control instead. After all, a buttonless phone might seem sleek and futuristic, but it may not cater to users with motor skill limitations.
Xiaomi phones have garnered quite a fanbase overseas, being the third most popular smartphone worldwide. Given this, the supposed revelation of the zhuque smartphone is generating considerable buzz. While this isn’t the first time buttonless phones have surfaced in the market, manufacturers like Vivo (part of Oppo’s parent conglomerate, BBK) have showcased concepts as early as five years ago. Moreover, the ASUS ROG II smartphone introduced touch-sensitive buttons with Air Triggers - mimicking the technology’s potential future development.
Recently, there were rumors about the iPhone 16 Pro introducing a dedicated haptic button for quick and organic photo-snapping, dubbed the Capture Button. Although it wouldn't mean the elimination of all buttons, as the Action Button would still be around and the iPhone 16 family would follow suit. The volume rocker might still exist in the design leaks circulating this year.
Even with the prospect of a buttonless smartphone looming, the idea of a fully voice-controlled device seems the most appealing - ensuring accessibility for more users. Picture this: a smartphone with no buttons, only voice commands! While it's fun to daydream about the future, it's essential to remember that these developments may take time to reach our pockets, if they do at all. As always, treat rumors with a dash of salt and consider the pros and cons for each design before embracing the latest trends in technology.
- The rumor mill suggests that Xiaomi might launch a buttonless smartphone codenamed "zhuque" in 2025, incorporating the next Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 4 processor and an under-display selfie camera.
- While the details about the buttonless operation are still unclear, the zhuque could potentially use gesture controls, pressure sensitivity, voice commands, or even full voice control instead of physical buttons.
- The idea of a fully voice-controlled smartphone, such as the hypothetical zhuque, appeals to the concept of accessibility for a wider range of users.
- The future of smartphones could bring a complete abolishment of physical buttons, but it may take time for technology to reach the market and cater to users with motor skill limitations.
