Watch: Apple drops world’s first haptic trailer for Brad Pitt’s F1 movie shot in UAE
Only available on iPhones with iOS 18.4 or higher
DUBAI: Apple has introduced a cinematic first: a movie trailer you can actually feel.
The tech giant has released the world’s first haptic trailer for its upcoming blockbuster F1, starring Brad Pitt.
The trailer showcases Apple’s innovative use of its Taptic Engine, delivering vibrations in sync with the film’s high-octane visuals. When viewed on an iPhone running iOS 18.4 or later, every twist of the track, roar of the engine, and dramatic pit stop sends tailored vibrations through the device – turning the trailer into a tactile racing experience.
How the haptic trailer works
The trailer's impact comes from Apple's advanced haptics technology. When a car accelerates on screen, the iPhone vibrates accordingly. During pit stops, the feedback becomes subtle and rhythmic – mirroring tyre changes and mechanical clinks. These finely tuned vibrations come from the Taptic Engine, already used across iOS for feedback on functions like volume adjustment and app navigation.
Now, it powers the trailer in a way never seen – or felt – before.
Experience the new @F1Movie trailer on iPhone in a way only Apple can deliver. https://t.co/VYeJcVagKq pic.twitter.com/ej7DWSfT6l
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 11, 2025
How to watch it
To experience the haptic trailer, open the Apple TV app on your iPhone and locate the F1 trailer in the top carousel.
Tap play, and the device responds instantly with a series of immersive, on-cue vibrations.
The feature is exclusive to iOS 18.4 and later versions.
Brad Pitt behind the wheel
In F1, Brad Pitt takes on the role of Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula 1 champion making a dramatic return to the sport as a mentor to a rising star played by Damson Idris. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film also stars Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem.
Several scenes were filmed during real-life F1 events, including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit, bringing authentic trackside energy to the screen.
Big release this summer
F1 is Apple Original Films’ most high-profile cinematic release to date, with a production budget reportedly nearing $300 million. It hits theatres worldwide on 27 June, before streaming later on Apple TV+.
Apple previewed the trailer during its recent Worldwide Developers Conference, where it also introduced the new “Liquid Glass” design coming to iOS 26. But the tactile trailer stole the spotlight – merging tech, cinema, and sensation into one unforgettable preview.