01:15 11-02-2026

Why automotive touchscreens are unsafe and brands are reverting to buttons

Jony Ive, the creator of the iPhone, has delivered a sharp critique of automotive touchscreens, calling them "technology unsuited for driving interfaces." His stance aligns with that of several premium brands, which have already begun rethinking cabin design.

Why the iPhone designer opposes screens in cars

According to Ive, touch panels were created as a universal tool for many tasks—from keyboards to cameras. But in a car, that logic breaks down. To interact with a screen, a driver must look away from the road, directly compromising safety. Ive emphasizes that while a touchscreen works for a smartphone, it is not fit for managing critical functions while driving.

Automotive brands are gradually returning to physical buttons

Premium marques are already showing a reversal of the trend. Audi states that large displays degrade the perceived quality of an interior. In its new electric Luce, Ferrari limits the visual impact of the screen, highlighting buttons for essential commands.

Against this backdrop, it is especially noticeable how some manufacturers continue to chase screen size while others change course.

Why the market is choosing buttons again

Practice and research have shown that physical controls allow for intuitive, tactile operation without loss of concentration. At a speed of 120 km/h, even a brief glance at a screen means dozens of meters of "blind" travel. The trend in recent years has been a return to buttons for radio, climate, and basic functions, with touchscreens retained only as auxiliary panels.

Conclusion

Jony Ive's remarks simply highlight an existing trend: automotive interiors are undergoing a reassessment. Manufacturers increasingly recognize that safety and convenience outweigh futuristic displays, and the universal logic of smartphones does not work behind the wheel.