BYD is turning one of the simplest parts of a car interior — the humble button — into the headline act for its next flagship electric SUV. The Chinese EV giant has previewed a detachable magnetic smart device, called “Flexible Buttons,” that can be removed from the cabin and used to control vehicle functions remotely. It is a small gadget, but it points to a bigger shift: EV makers are now competing as hard on software, interfaces and smart hardware as they are on range and charging speed.
The device is designed to snap into the vehicle using magnets, charge while docked, and connect to BYD’s ecosystem via Bluetooth. According to Electrek, BYD says it can manage infotainment, climate, audio and other vehicle features without requiring the driver or passengers to dig through menus or pull out a smartphone. The brand also previewed what appears to be a central magnetic hub for managing and charging connected in-car devices, suggesting this is more than a one-off accessory.
Great Tang brings the tech battle to large electric SUVs
The first model expected to feature the new gadget is BYD’s Great Tang, known as the Datang in China, which is due to launch on June 17, 2026. The full-size seven-seat electric SUV has already made noise before reaching showrooms. CnEVPost reported that pre-sales opened at the Beijing Auto Show with prices from 250,000 yuan, or roughly US$36,500, and that orders topped 100,000 units in the first two weeks. For a vehicle measuring more than 5.2 metres long, that pricing puts serious pressure on established family EVs.
BYD is also using the Great Tang to showcase its latest engineering. Reported specifications include a second-generation Blade Battery, a 1,000-volt electrical architecture, megawatt-level flash charging and a claimed pure-electric range of up to 950 kilometres on China’s testing cycle. The dual-motor version is said to produce up to 585 kW and hit 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, while a 2+2+3 seating layout aims squarely at families who want a roomy SUV without giving up EV performance.
Tesla, Hyundai and Toyota keep the pressure on
The timing matters because Tesla and BYD are locked in an increasingly global contest. InsideEVs reported that Tesla reclaimed the top pure-EV manufacturer spot in the first quarter of 2026, delivering 358,023 EVs while BYD delivered 310,389 battery-electric cars. BYD still sells far more vehicles when plug-in hybrids are counted, but the back-and-forth shows how quickly leadership can shift as incentives, pricing and new models change buyer behaviour.
Meanwhile, the broader EV market is getting more crowded in the United States. Electrek, citing S&P Global Mobility data, reported Hyundai registered 4,936 EVs in April, putting it within striking distance of Chevrolet for second place behind Tesla. Toyota, long criticised for moving slowly on battery-electric cars, also saw April EV registrations jump 225% as updated and expanded electric SUV offerings reached buyers. That means BYD’s tech-forward approach is arriving in a market where nearly every major brand is trying to look smarter, cheaper or more practical.
For EV enthusiasts, BYD’s magnetic controller is not just a novelty. It is a sign that the next phase of electric-car competition will be fought inside the cabin as much as under the floor. Long range and fast charging still matter, but the winners may be the brands that make high-tech EVs feel easier, more personal and less distracting to use every day.