Apple may move the iPhone's end call button in the next major update and it could be confusing for users
Sarah Jackson / Insider
- You might need to get used to a new phone layout on your iPhone when iOS 17 rolls out.
- The iOS 17 beta currently shows the end call button moved up and the mute and speakerphone buttons swapped.
- The changes may be confusing for users with muscle memory from years of seeing them a certain way.
It looks like iPhone users may get a whole new phone call layout in iOS 17.
Images from Apple's iOS 17 beta versions show some notable changes, including the red end call button being moved to join the other buttons by replacing the contacts button, according to CNBC. Currently, the end call button is alone at the bottom center of your screen when you're on a call, with six other buttons grouped together further up.
The beta versions also show the mute and speakerphone buttons swapping places with each other, and the keypad and FaceTime buttons trading spots. On top of that, the icon to add a call looks slightly different; currently, it's just a plus sign, but in the beta versions, it's an icon of a profile picture with a smaller plus sign attached.
—Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) August 9, 2023
Another major change is the positioning of all of the buttons on the screen. Now, the six buttons grouped together take up the top half of your screen on a call. In the beta versions, they appear to be at the bottom of the screen.
Because iOS 17 is still in beta, this may not be the final layout we see when iOS 17 becomes available to everyone. But if it is, there could be quite the learning curve. After years accustomed to the same layout, users could have a certain muscle memory with the buttons that they'd have to undo. iOS 17 is expected to come out this fall with the launch of the iPhone 15.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.