Why did no one copy the mute switch on Apple and OnePlus phones?

Opinion post by

Jon Fingas

Ask iPhone and OnePlus buyers about their favorite design touches, and there’s a good chance they’ll point to the mute switch or slide on the side. And for good reason – it’s an easy way to rush your phone when you’ve at work or do not want to annoy others with notifications. You do not have to flip through the menus to find a silent mode while throwing other disapproving leaves in your direction.

But why has not much effort been put into copying the mute switch? Unfortunately, this is not as simple as it seems, as there are some very practical complications. With that said, we would argue that businesses should try, regardless of when the benefits can easily outweigh the disadvantages.

That’s why others did not copy the mute switch …

There is one immediate reason why phone manufacturers do not want to copy the mute switch: it requires effort that companies are not always willing to do. Android does not have a standardized approach to these types of switches, which allows companies to design the switch themselves and the software that makes it work. Even if it is not a Herculean task, it can consume precious time that a brand would rather spend elsewhere during a dense telephone development cycle.

With that said, brands can face legal obstacles, even if they love the idea of ​​a mute switch. Apple, OnePlus and other companies regularly design patents and claim that they are determined to protect in court. A competitor who mimics a switch too closely could jeopardize a lawsuit, a trade ban, or both. It may well be easier to skip the feature altogether than to design patents or license transactions.

And yes, there is a possibility that a mute switch has just as high a priority as before. According to our poll, most people do not make many calls. While you certainly have more reasons to mute your phone besides calling, this was one of the main reasons why these switches exist in the first place. Apple put the feature on the original iPhone in 2007, when apps and the mobile web were still lagging behind for voice calls, and much has changed over the past 14 years.

… But that’s why they have to do it anyway

As many reasons as there may be for companies to avoid the mute switch does not mean they are right. If anything, we would like to see more telephone manufacturers implement this hardware control, even if they have to find alternatives that will not lead to litigation.

Simply put, it’s a pain to silence your phone’s alerts through software. You usually need to unlock your phone and open a control panel. This is good for the occasional change of preferences, but it can be a hassle if you turn back and forth regularly. As for the case, there is a good chance that you are in a hurry. You probably had a moment at work, at school or even in bed when you scrambled to silence your phone from embarrassment. Blowing through the screen interface makes the moments even more troublesome. Granted, Android makes this switch slightly easier, but it’s still a process compared to turning on a simple switch.

Read more: The best OnePlus phones in different categories

A mute switch for hardware avoids all the headaches. If your phone starts ringing or a notification goes off, you can handle it almost immediately. As a matter of fact, quick access can cause a change in habits. You may be more likely to turn on audio (say, to make sure you get an important text message) if you can turn it off just as easily later. Why worry about the sounds of your phone when you have almost instinctive control over it?

Let’s be realistic: you’ll probably not soon see dimmer switches becoming ubiquitous. You still need to buy Apple or OnePlus devices. However, there is a clear use case for them, and it will not be surprising if one or more prominent manufacturers find some way to implement the functionality. If they are willing to do the work, it can give them a way to stand out while being lovers who want more control.