Apple, a brand synonymous with groundbreaking design, innovation, and user-centric products, has set the standard in the tech industry for years. Its sleek devices and minimalist aesthetics have made the company one of the most valuable and influential in the world. Yet, even the best can stumble. When people talk about Apple’s worst-ever design, they’re not referring to their products being objectively “bad,” but rather some highly questionable design choices that seemed to contradict everything Apple stood for. In some cases, these products have left customers wondering: How is this even possible?
Let’s explore what could arguably be considered Apple’s worst design missteps and dissect how it happened.
1. The Butterfly Keyboard (2015-2019)
One of Apple’s most controversial designs is, without question, the butterfly keyboard found in the MacBook and MacBook Pro models from 2015 to 2019. It’s rare for a company of Apple’s stature to miscalculate user needs so severely, but this design misstep stands out. Apple’s intention behind the butterfly keyboard was admirable: to create a thinner and more compact mechanism that would make the MacBook and MacBook Pro even sleeker and more portable. The butterfly switch, however, proved to be a disaster.
The issues with the butterfly keyboard were numerous and severe. The key switches were prone to failure from even the slightest dust or debris, causing the keyboard to become unresponsive or sticky. Users experienced frustration when a key might double-press or miss a press altogether. Additionally, the keyboard’s tactile feel was generally disliked. Instead of the familiar and comfortable scissor switch key mechanism, the butterfly keys felt shallow and less responsive, making typing a tedious experience for many users.
Apple tried to fix the butterfly keyboard by releasing multiple revisions and offering a free repair program, but the damage to the company’s reputation was done. In 2019, Apple officially abandoned the butterfly design, reverting to the more reliable scissor switch design for subsequent MacBook models. This episode is often regarded as one of Apple’s worst design failures because it ignored the simple principle that usability and comfort should always come first, even if it means sacrificing a little thickness for reliability.
2. The “Flexgate” Issue with the MacBook Pro (2016-2019)
Another design flaw that plagued Apple was the “Flexgate” issue, which emerged with the 2016 MacBook Pro models. Apple is renowned for its sleek and minimalist approach to design, and the 2016 MacBook Pro certainly looked the part. The laptop was thinner, lighter, and more powerful than ever before, but it had a serious flaw that many users would not discover until months or even years later.
The Flexgate issue stemmed from a poorly designed display cable that would begin to fray and degrade over time. As users opened and closed the laptop, the display cable was subjected to strain, which caused it to wear out. The result? A “stage light” effect—a bright strip of light appearing at the bottom of the screen. Over time, this could lead to total screen failure.
The issue was significant enough that it prompted a class-action lawsuit against Apple, claiming the company knew about the defect but failed to acknowledge it. Apple eventually acknowledged the issue, offering repair programs for affected devices. Despite the fix, the fact that such a fundamental flaw made its way into an Apple product was shocking to many. It was a design failure that not only affected the functionality of the device but also tarnished Apple’s reputation for quality control and attention to detail.
3. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Bendgate (2014)
In 2014, Apple released the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and while the devices were lauded for their large screens and slim profiles, a significant design flaw quickly became apparent. The issue was widely dubbed “Bendgate,” a term coined after reports emerged of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus bending under normal use. The problem occurred because the phone’s aluminum body was not robust enough to withstand everyday pressure, especially when carried in a pocket.
While the vast majority of users did not experience bending issues, the very notion that a flagship device from Apple could be physically compromised by everyday pressure was a massive blow to the company’s reputation. It became a talking point across social media, with users posting photos of their bent iPhones. Apple was forced to respond, stating that only a small number of devices were affected. However, the damage was done, and many wondered how Apple could overlook such a basic design flaw, particularly given the brand’s focus on premium materials and craftsmanship.
To its credit, Apple later reinforced its quality assurance processes and redesigned the casing of future iPhones to make them more durable, but “Bendgate” remains one of the most embarrassing moments in Apple’s design history.
4. The “Notch” and the iPhone X (2017)
In 2017, Apple unveiled the iPhone X, the first iPhone to completely do away with the home button and embrace an edge-to-edge OLED display. The design was stunning, but it came with one notable feature: the notch. The notch, a cut-out at the top of the display, housed the front-facing camera, Face ID sensors, and earpiece. Apple’s decision to include the notch was controversial from the start, and it quickly became a subject of criticism.
For many users, the notch was a glaring design flaw that interrupted the otherwise seamless screen. Apple justified the notch as a necessity to accommodate the various sensors required for Face ID, but that reasoning did little to quiet complaints about the aesthetic disruption it caused. As the notch appeared on subsequent models (iPhone XS, iPhone XR, etc.), it became a divisive feature. While some users eventually got used to it, the notch continued to be a significant point of criticism.
In 2021, Apple introduced the iPhone 13, with a smaller notch, which showed the company was paying attention to user feedback. However, the fact that Apple, with its obsession for sleek, uninterrupted designs, launched a phone with such an obvious blemish on its display raised eyebrows.
5. The Apple Maps Fiasco (2012)
While Apple Maps is not a physical product, its disastrous launch is a significant example of a design failure. In 2012, Apple replaced Google Maps with its own Apple Maps app in iOS 6, expecting to revolutionize the map experience. What followed was a debacle of epic proportions. Users quickly discovered that Apple Maps was riddled with errors: missing locations, incorrect directions, and even bizarre misrepresentations of geographical features.
Apple’s decision to launch Apple Maps without proper testing and refinement was a major mistake, and it resulted in a public relations disaster. In an unprecedented move, Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a public apology, acknowledging the poor quality of Apple Maps and recommending that users try alternatives like Google Maps or MapQuest in the meantime. Apple Maps eventually improved over time, but the launch was a major embarrassment for the company, showing how even the most successful tech giants can falter when rushing to introduce a product without proper attention to detail.
Conclusion: How Could This Happen?
Apple’s worst design failures serve as a stark reminder that even the most successful companies are not immune to missteps. For Apple, a company that prides itself on impeccable design and user experience, these blunders seem particularly jarring. But how could such mistakes happen?
First, Apple’s focus on innovation often leads to decisions that prioritize bold new ideas over incremental improvements. The butterfly keyboard, for example, was a bold attempt to create a thinner, more portable laptop, but it sacrificed long-term usability and durability. In other cases, Apple’s secrecy and need to control every aspect of its products can result in a lack of feedback from users during development. When issues inevitably arise, Apple’s reluctance to acknowledge flaws until they become widespread only exacerbates the problem.
Despite these missteps, Apple remains an industry leader in design, constantly learning from its failures and striving for improvement. Ultimately, these failures—though significant—are part of what has allowed Apple to continue innovating. And while these designs may have been some of Apple’s worst, they are also crucial to the company’s ongoing evolution.
