Apple’s latest update in its smartphone range could be more whizbang than previously predicted with a report over the weekend that the iPhone 6S is going 3D touch.

If 3D touch means nothing to you (it shouldn’t) according to 9to5Mac the new iPhone feature will see an updated version of Apple’s Force Touch technology (as seen in the Apple Watch and Macbook) that allows three levels of touch, specifically the ability to sense three dimensions of pressure, rather than just two.

In practice the 3D touch display will deliver the ability for users to tap, press, or “deeper press” (bang down perhaps?) on the iPhone 6S to trigger different features on the phone, delivering what the report claims will be new user-interface tricks, such as shortcut gestures across the iPhone 6s version of iOS 9.

The Force Touch feature, be it the now seemingly more humble, dare we say less shiny version as applied to the Apple Watch, gives users the ability to use shortcuts when using the device, such as being able to bring up a place in Google Maps then immediately start navigating to that location; a reasonable guess would have the new iPhone 6S offering more navigational interface “short cuts” with a third layer of touch support.

Gaming could also benefit from the additional layer provided in the new 3D touch interface, with the report also noting that “developers will likely be able to create new types of games that take advantage of the new technology.”

Learning curve

3D Touch, which like many new features from Apple sounds futuristic and a step forward, may be different in practice however as it will naturally require a learning curve for users to get used to the additional functionality provided by the feature.

Could it be too tricky by half?

Despite lackluster reviews and reports that it has been a complete flop, Force Touch is generally regarded as one of the positives Apple delivered with the Apple Watch, be it one that offered only two levels of touch versus the three now seemingly being offered in the iPhone 6S; the potential is there for it to become a time saver particularly for power users but until the feature becomes more widespread, even across Apple’s own lineup of products (rumors include it possibly coming to Macbook Pro’s and Apple’s iPad range in 2016) will it perhaps truly take off as Apple users learn it across multiple devices.

The iPhone 6S will be revealed this coming Wednesday, September 9 in San Francisco.

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