The devices that feature Force Touch technology are the Apple Watch and the MacBooks. Recent rumors have suggested that the Force Touch technology could possibly be included in the iPhone 6S Plus. United Daile News reportedly mentioned industry insiders, who are knowledgeable with TPK's operations, that TPK (a leading touch solution provider company in Xiamen, China) will be supplying Force Touch sensors for Apple, specifically designed for the iPhone 6S Plus. The cost for the Force Technology in the 6S Plus is said to be 2.5 times more than that in the Apple Watch.
The reason that the Force Touch is 2.5 times expensive is because the 6S Plus has a much larger display (5.5-inch) compared with the smartwatch (1.5/1.65 inch). The sensors for the 6S Plus would then cost around $13-14, as cited by G4Games.
Further, the report made no mention that the Force Technology would be featured in the iPhone 6S, which is said to imply that the Force Touch technology could be kept for the 6S Plus.
So, how does a Force Touch technology work? Other than the Apple Watch, the technology is also featured in the MacBook, and it brings the following aspects:
- Force Click: A new type of click where you press deeper, and harder on the trackpad than the usual. The trackpad pushes to a second level, and the Force Click introduces a different result.
- Haptic Feedback: A reaction coming from a tiny electrical buzz in the Force Touch trackpad that triggers pressing the pad. It responds to touches and imitates a small click effect by the use of electromagnets.
- Taptice Engine: This is what Apple calls for the electromagnets underneath the Force Touch trackpad. This engine is what reacts to your presses, and gives haptic feedback consequently.
- Pressure sensitivity: This is measured by the Force Touch trackpad.
Nevertheless, the Force Touch features in the MacBook could not be entirely the same as to the Force Touch in the iPhone 6S Plus.
MacRumors cited KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saying, "We believe that iPhone's Force Touch sensor doesn't directly detect the pressure applied by fingers. Instead, it monitors the contact area on which the finger touches the screen to decide how big the pressure is. There are two possible structural designs for Force Touch from a technology viewpoint. The Force Touch sensor can either be placed between the cover lens and the In-cell touch panel or under the In-cell touch panel's backlight."
"In the first position, the technological challenge lies with how to produce the transparent Force Touch sensor; in the second position, the challenge is how to reduce signal interference from in-cell touch panel. Our understanding of the technology is that producing a transparent Force Touch sensor is more difficult, so the chances are the new iPhone this year will opt for the second position."
Other reports also said that the Force Touch technology could become a standard feature for upcoming Apple iPhones, and the possible candidate would be the rumored iPhone 7, which is said to be launched in 2016.
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