As an avid Apple user, I am always excited about new releases, including the highly anticipated iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, every release day also brings back a lingering feeling of nostalgia and longing for a feature that was removed in recent iPhone models—3D Touch.
3D Touch was first introduced on the iPhone 6S and continued through the XS and XS Max. It was a revolutionary technology that allowed the device to determine the level of pressure applied to the screen with each finger press. Software could then respond differently based on the force exerted. I remember being amazed by the live wallpaper animations that played and reversed based on how softly or firmly I pressed the screen. Additionally, 3D Touch brought handy features like “peek” and “pop” which allowed me to preview a link or content with a light press and then fully open it with a firmer press.
Unfortunately, to cut costs and simplify design, Apple decided to remove 3D Touch starting with the iPhone XR and all future models. It was replaced with a feature called “Haptic Touch,” which attempted to replicate some of 3D Touch’s functionality through a long-press action. However, what it lacked was the ability to detect pressure. My main issue with Haptic Touch is its inherent slowness. When using the feature to access quick shortcuts by long-pressing app icons on the homescreen, there is a noticeable delay that was absent when 3D Touch was in place.
Fast forward to the recent release of iOS 17, and Apple has made some efforts to speed up Haptic Touch. However, this improvement is only accessible through a specific setting buried within the accessibility section of the device’s settings. I am grateful to Federico Viticci of MacStories for highlighting this feature in his comprehensive iOS 17 review; otherwise, I might have missed it myself.
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Within the settings, users can now choose between three Haptic Touch durations: default, fast, and slow. Sticking with the default setting means enduring the slight delay that comes with using Haptic Touch throughout iOS. However, switching to the “fast” duration makes a world of difference. In fact, it almost feels reminiscent of the responsive and intuitive experience provided by 3D Touch. Personally, I have not noticed any downsides to this faster duration, and like Viticci, I believe Apple should consider making it the new default.
Nevertheless, it still saddens me that Apple decided to abandon 3D Touch. While it may have been an underutilized feature and primarily targeted towards power users, it was undeniably innovative and unique. Unfortunately, the likelihood of 3D Touch making a comeback seems slim. However, the faster Haptic Touch duration introduced in iOS 17 at least makes its substitute more useful and functional.
In conclusion, while I am eager to get my hands on the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max, the absence of 3D Touch leaves a lingering sense of nostalgia. The seamless integration of pressure sensitivity and the unique experiences it enabled, such as the live wallpaper animations and the convenient peek and pop actions, will be missed. Nonetheless, the faster Haptic Touch duration introduced in iOS 17 brings a glimmer of hope that Apple is listening to user feedback and strives to improve the overall user experience.
