Apple is developing a scalable 3D pressure sensitive display, but it will not be ready for the next-generation iPhones or iPads.
Apple has already deployed a pressure-sensing technology called 3D Touch in its iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. The new technology brings an entirely new way for owners to interact with their iPhones.
“For the first time, iPhone senses how much pressure you apply to the display,” per Apple. “When you use 3D Touch, your iPhone responds with subtle taps. So not only will you see what a press can do – you’ll feel it.”
Even though the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus are the first devices that have 3D Touch, rumors claim that Apple cannot use the technology in bigger displays such as the iPads.
An Apple Insider report cites sources familiar with the matter and reports that Apple is developing a new pressure-sensitive technology that can also be used on iPads of all sizes.
“The source, who has in the past provided accurate information about Apple’s future plans, said the company is working on a comparable technology for integration in both iPhones and iPads, potentially offering support for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple’s largest iOS device,” notes Apple Insider.
Rumors about an iPad with 3D Touch have been surfacing soon after Apple used the novel technology in the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. Fans of Apple hope that the company will include a new pressure-sensitive display in the next-generation iPhones and iPads. However, the purported iPhone 7 is expected to get 3D Touch as its predecessor and the iPad Air 3, estimated to be launched in 2016, may not get pressure-sensitive display at all.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with KGI Securities, also predicts that the iPad that will be launched in 2016 will not include 3D Touch due to issues in the production of the tablet.
Apple notes that 3D Touch is the future of multi-touch, which means that the company will want to extend the technology to other mobile devices as well. However, Apple remains silent about expanding touch-sensitive displays to other iOS devices, so customers will have to wait until the company officially announces a touch-sensing screen for its iPads.