Some third-party iPhone 15 Pro series cases have a design flaw affecting new Action Button

Users have identified a design flaw in some third-party iPhone 15 Pro series cases on the market. It appears that a number of them have been caught out by Apple’s decision to turn the classic mute switch into the new Action button, despite rumors circulating for months that Apple had been planning on making a change. As you can see in the accompanying photo, the iPhone 15 Pro Max case from well-regarded case maker Bellroy (that has previously partnered with Google) has a cut out that would work with a mute switch but the leather lip impedes the ability to easily activate the Action button with a press.

Apple routinely provides established case makers with the dimensions of its upcoming models months ahead of release on the proviso that they sign a nondisclosure agreement. However, in this instance, it appears that Apple has not revealed to case makers that the old mute switch was being replaced with a button, much like the volume-up and volume-down buttons that the new Action button sits atop them. Given this was going to be a new feature, it is not entirely surprising that Apple wouldn’t make this revelation. It also appears a number of case makers weren't prepared to take a gamble on the rumors of the change.

In the photo below, you can see a new official Apple iPhone 15 Plus case with the old style cut out for its mute switch compared to the new official Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max case which has a button on the side of the case in the style of the volume-up and volume-down buttons. This obviously makes it easy to actuate the new iPhone 15 Pro series Action button. The issue identified with the Bellroy case has also been observed on other third-party iPhone 15 Pro series cases like those from prolific case maker Cygnett -- which also appears to have been caught out by the rumored name change from Pro Max to "Ultra".

While Apple’s official iPhone 15 Pro series cases are guaranteed to work with the Action button, the quality of the new FineWoven case has come in for criticism. Our advice to users is to inspect the case for Action button compatibility, not just pick any case that says it is ostensibly compatible with the new iPhone 15 Pro series.