An electronic device may include a linear haptic actuator that may include a housing, coils carried by the housing, and a field member linearly movable within the housing and that may include at least one permanent magnet cooperating with the coils. The electronic device may also include a controller configured to drive the coils in a multi-phase arrangement so that at least one coil is driven while at least one other coil is used to sense a position of the field member.