Apple reveals special F1 trailer for iPhone users, it makes the phone shake and vibrate

India Today

a day ago

We've all seen trailers that aim to get your heart racing – but now, your phone is doing that job too. Quite literally. Apple just released a special trailer for its upcoming film F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt. But this is no ordinary trailer. This one shakes, buzzes, and vibrates right in your hand – thanks to something Apple calls a 'haptic trailer.' If you're using an iPhone with iOS 18.4 or later, you can find it in the Apple TV app. The moment you press play, your phone turns into a miniature pit lane. Engine revs? You feel it. A seatbelt clicking? You feel that too. The entire trailer is synced with haptic feedback so that you're not just watching – you're physically experiencing every shift, turn and screech of the tyres.advertisementAnd honestly? It's kind of amazing.So what is a haptic trailer?
For those unfamiliar, haptics refers to the technology that lets your phone simulate physical sensations through vibration. You've probably experienced it before – when your phone buzzes as you type or long-press an app. Apple's iPhones use something called the Taptic Engine to make this possible. It's been part of the iPhone experience for years.But this is the first time Apple has used haptics to enhance a film trailer. And they couldn't have chosen a better genre. Formula 1 is pure adrenaline – speed, danger, technical precision – and the haptics make it feel that much closer.Picture this: the trailer begins with an overhead shot of an F1 car, and you feel a gentle buzz as the engine rumbles. As it accelerates, the vibration grows stronger – your phone almost feels like it's pushing air. When the car zooms out of frame, the sensation fades, giving you this sense of momentum. It's an oddly immersive experience, something you'd expect from a high-end gaming console, not a phone.advertisementWe tried the trailer on an iPhone 16 Pro, and here's the truth: it's fun. It's genuinely entertaining to see (and feel) a film promo like this. There's a moment where a pit crew changes the tyres – and you feel a subtle, quick vibration, mimicking the electric tools. Even little actions, like a driver strapping in or pressing buttons on the steering wheel, come through as faint taps in your hand.
If you have ever played games using a Sony DualSense controller, you already know how cool this kind of feedback can be. But what Apple is doing here is different: it is for everyone. You don't need a console or a fancy controller – just an iPhone and an Apple TV subscription.Which, come to think of it, might just be the point.Here is where things get interesting. This haptic trailer is only available on Apple TV, through the TV app on iPhone. So if you are not already a subscriber, you might feel tempted to sign up – if only to try this fun little gimmick. In India, by the way, you can get an Apple TV subscription for Rs 99 a month. It is also available via Amazon Prime Video for the same price. advertisementIt does make you wonder: is this a sneakily brilliant marketing move? Probably. But it is also one that does not feel like a sales pitch. It feels like a fun experiment – and one you will want to show your friends.This haptic trailer is not just a tech flex – it is also perfect for the kind of movie Apple is promoting. F1: The Movie is a fast-paced, high-energy story set in the world of motorsport. If there is any genre where haptics could make a difference, it is this. Whether you're an F1 fan, a Brad Pitt devotee, or just someone who likes when their phone does cool stuff, give it a try. You have never felt a trailer like this before.