Apple has launched the world’s first-ever haptic movie trailer, bringing tactile feedback to the F1 film trailer for the first time. Available exclusively on the Apple TV app for iPhones running iOS 18.4 or later, the trailer uses the iPhone’s Taptic Engine to simulate engine revs, tire screeches, pit-stop vibrations, and even subtle touches, offering a new sensory dimension to movie previews.
The two-minute trailer for F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt and produced by Apple Original Films, synchronizes haptic pulses with on-screen action. Users report feeling everything from gentle tugs—like the fastening of a seat belt—to intense rumblings during race sequences, effectively turning their phones into mini race cars.
Apple debuted this feature during its WWDC 2025 keynote, describing it as the first film promotional material to integrate haptics in this way.
This innovation relies on the Taptic Engine, Apple’s precise vibration motor built into the iPhone. Each haptic effect is mapped to corresponding moments in the trailer using advanced timing metadata embedded within the video’s streaming format.
Mux, a tech blog, analyzed the feature and noted that Apple appears to embed haptic cues within the streaming manifest (specifically in the HLS session data), enabling the Taptic Engine to trigger at precisely the right moments.
Beyond creating a buzz among iPhone users, the haptic trailer adds value for accessibility. As Steven Aquino from Curb Cuts points out, the trailer allows deaf or low-vision users to feel the action, not just see or hear it—a meaningful expansion of inclusive storytelling.
Enthusiastic reactions have surfaced on Reddit and TechRadar, with users likening the effect to the tactile feedback of a gaming controller and describing it as more immersive than expected.
This haptic trailer launch is part of Apple’s broader push into theatrical films. F1: The Movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), follows a fictional racing team led by Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. Set to premiere in U.S. theaters on June 27, it will debut in IMAX on June 23 and stream on Apple TV+ later.
Why This Matters to U.S. Audiences
- Tech Innovation: This marks a leap in how smartphones deliver immersive content experiences—beyond sight and sound.
- Accessibility Impact: It sets a new standard for inclusive content, especially benefiting users with sensory impairments.
- Apple’s Competitive Edge: As Apple aims to strengthen its position in both entertainment and hardware, this move aligns seamlessly with its strategy to integrate device features with content delivery.
