it aint just an analog Apple needs but also proper buttons they need

How so? I see this mentioned multiple times already.

The biggest issue with on screen controls has always been movement within a title, meaning the analog and/or d-pad. When trying to use an on screen analog you are reguired to keep your thumb on the screen. Dry fingers, sweaty fingers, etc.. all effect this, sometimes even making movement on the screen resistive. This would solve completely solve that issue.

I don't see how having 4 on screen buttons would be an issue. It never has been when it comes to playing games on a phone. This idea is great. It doesn't screw up anything for those who care not for gaming, yet it helps immensly for those who do game on their phones.

Placing a full set of analog and/or D-pad + physical buttons would not do Apple any favors as the vast majority of people who buy smartphones will not want all that extra bulk.

Now, as for "killing handhelds", it won't ever really do that, but it will attract more big time games, meaning less exclusive software for the 3DS from 3rd party pubs.

Japanese third parties like Square Enix, Atlus, and Capcom would like a word with you since they still make 3DS exclusives to this day and show no sign of stopping since their exclusives still sale.

iPhone 6 Plus had the bending issue, not the regular 6. Also the phone bent at the center, not at the bottom. Even if the phone bent the stick would be unnaffected. Not to mention DS still worked fine even with the broken hinge issue that plagued it. Broken hinge did not stop the screens from working, just like how the bending did not stop the home button from working. Heck, it didn't even stop the power and volume buttons from working.

If you're going to make a joke post (and a terrible one at that), please make a better effort.

The physicality of buttons has much more to it than merely being an input method. Sure you can get used to touch screen "buttons" but they are a second class solution to proper buttons. I agree that a physical analog stick is more essential to give a phone better gaming utility. But it still falls far short of being a realistic alternative to a hand held.

That's my point. They work and they work well without any real big time issues. The d-pad and/or analog that was on screen was a big time issue, and I say this as an avid mobile gamer. It makes many games annoying, especially when my thumbs which are short and stupidly fat. I have a condition called brachydactyly, so I have more issues than most here, and if this helps me a ton then it will very likely bring benefit to everyone else. Luckily for me it only really affects my thumbs.

Now, back to the buttons, the biggest issue(s) you might miss out on is tactile feedback from touching a physical button or pressure sensitivity, which I don't think 3DS and/or Vita has anyways.

2nd class or not the exclusion of physical buttons will not hinder gameplay to the point where a game would be considered unplayable. It would mearly become a preference issue and little to nothing more than that. There would be little to prevent your typical handheld title from making it's way to iOS. Although that is possible to begin with thanks to the plethora of controller options, specifically the Moga Rebel MFi, which is wonderful.

Personally I would prefer to have a PSV style skeleton that the phone slots into. That way no compromise at all.

Have you done much higher end graphics gaming on an iphone? Laggy as sin. If Apple wants to be a contender in the game industry, they have to buy out Sony. =)

What Rol said.

3DS?  This would more likely effect Nintendo's next handheld if any at all. Nintendo has pretty much been reduced to a bare minimum success level stemming from original conteny their systems provide and whatever mileage they get out of each systems unique element. It's the systems which rely heavily on cross platform games which have the most to fear from increasing competition.