Kinda lit, not gonna lie
Apple has once again mixed tech demos with entertainment hype. This time, the trailer doesn’t just show the F1 movie but lets you actually feel it.
With the release of what’s being called a “haptic trailer,” Apple tapped into the iPhone’s Taptic Engine to deliver an interactive two-minute experience that vibrates in sync with the on-screen action.
Available only through the Apple TV app and requiring iOS 18.4 or later, this trailer gives users something truly different: physical feedback that enhances the visuals in real-time.
Yes, it begins with a soft buzz from a seatbelt clicking or a ball bouncing on the wall, and the vibrations increase as things get more intense.
The engine’s roar, the force of crashes, and the stress of sharp turns come alive with precise haptic pulses synced perfectly to every frame.
It won’t transform your phone into a full racing simulator setup, but it gets close enough that some viewers found themselves gripping tighter during the fast parts.
It reminded me of the DBOX theater seats or the bass modules in Dolby Cinema chairs when I gave it a shot. The concept is new and clearly a trial, but it impressed many with how deeply immersive it felt.
Of course, it’s not perfect.
Some users noticed issues where phones didn’t vibrate even when all the technical conditions were met. Others said the haptic feedback only worked if the trailer was played perfectly.
A few even joked that it made their phone feel like a restaurant pager or that it was more fun for babies and pets than moviegoers.
But even these comments came with an undercurrent of admiration. Because for all its quirks, the trailer does something that a flat screen can’t: it gives you texture.
From a marketing perspective, this is Apple flexing in every direction.
F1: The Movie was already getting premium treatment, with Craig Federighi’s rooftop-lap stunt at WWDC and a star-studded cast featuring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.
This haptic trailer boosts the hype by highlighting the company’s hardware innovation and creating unexpected buzz for the film. Apple even embedded .ahap files to trigger precise vibration patterns and expertly engineered the whole setup.
The idea of applying this kind of tactile storytelling to full movies is… probably a stretch.
Two minutes hit the perfect balance. Any longer, and the gimmick could get annoying, but that is also exactly why this approach works so well.
It’s not aiming to set a new benchmark but just showing off some clever, fast, and genuinely fun tech.
With so much content around, making an impression in two minutes takes real skill. So yes, it could be a gimmick but it’s a brilliant one and just like a great F1 lap it’s quick, thrilling, and leaves a lasting impression.