Apple to Simplify iPhone 18 Camera Control Button, Not Remove It

[ipedro]

Nah, I wish they'd add the capacitive camera control button to the Mac, above the number keys row, replacing the F keys with — get this — a display under the sapphire crystal that changes buttons according to context. Call it... wait for it, the Touch Bar™

Someone get me a trademark lawyer pronto!

 

[citysnaps]

It's so dumb that they even bothered with this when the volume button can already be used to take pictures and videos, and is located in a more convenient position for one-handed use.

The volume button can't change zoom factor. Which is important when framing a subject.

 

[tennisproha]

Good, it's a great feature! Iterate to make it better

 

[captainspanner]

I disabled this button on my 16 pro the day I got it and have never, ever thought about it since. It feels as useless and daft as the touchbar thing was on Macbooks...

 

[MacGreenPath]

The Camera Control is one of my favorite new features on my iPhone 16 Pro. I use it literally every time I want to open the camera. No matter whether the phone is locked, another app is open, or whatever, one press of the Camera Control is all that is required to open the camera app. And a second press of the Camera Control is all that is required to take a photo. There are a lot of times when speed of opening the camera and snapping the shutter are essential to capturing a fleeting moment (e.g., wildlife, young children, etc.).

I also like the swipe control to easily switch between camera lenses--especially when holding the iPhone vertically (portrait orientation).

 

[anthony131]

I disabled the thing within an hour of getting my iPhone 16 (thanks for the option). It's in exactly the right position to take a picture every time I pick up the phone. Still using the volume button to take pictures.

Now, get rid of the swipe gesture on the Lock Screen too.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I hope they keep it even just as a camera launcher. It’s so much more convenient than going from the lock screen or back taps. I want to use my action button for something else.

 

[EBone12355]

Literally a feature no one asked for.

 

[ItchyRat2160]

The volume button can't change zoom factor. Which is important when framing a subject.

Thanks! How can I join your photography class! You seem to know a lot about it!

 

[citysnaps]

Thanks! How can I join your photography class! You seem to know a lot about it!

Photography is not for you. Try something else.

 

[whitby]

I must admit to having absolutely no idea why people have such a love/hate relationship with this button. I find it extremely useful and revolutionized how I use my iPhone as a camera. I have have absolutely no issues with it. I have it configured to open the camera app when the phone is locked and it makes the camera immediately available with an easily accessible button that is in the right location for a shutter button.

I always had issues with trying to use the action button to open the camera or touch the screen and then either using the volume buttons (which are in completely the wrong place) or stabbing at the screen which usually causes camera shake or changes the composition when taking a picture. I now use the iPhone as a camera more often and get much better pictures.

The touch function is a trifle finicky but once you get used to it, it works fine. If Apple removed this button, it would just be a reason not to upgrade for me. So glad to hear they appear to be keeping it.

 

[SF7]

An established Chinese leaker has pushed back against recent rumors suggesting Apple plans to eliminate the Camera Control button from the iPhone 18, instead claiming the company is working to simplify the component to reduce costs.

According to Weibo leaker Instant Digital, the Camera Control's pressure-sensitive modules for the iPhone 18 series currently remain in trial production. However, Apple is reportedly removing the capacitive sensor from the current dual-sensor design, and opting instead to rely solely on pressure sensing to achieve all button functions.

The current Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models uses both capacitive and pressure sensors beneath a sapphire crystal surface. The capacitive layer detects touch gestures, while the force sensor recognizes different pressure levels for taps, presses, and swipes.

Instant Digital says Apple's revised approach is similar to designs found in devices like the OPPO X8 Ultra and vivo X200 Ultra, where pressure sensors alone can recognize light taps, firm presses, and sliding gestures.

The leaker suggests cost concerns are driving the change, noting that the current solution is "genuinely very expensive" for Apple and is generating costly after-sales repairs. This is said to be creating "significant internal cost pressure" for Apple, especially since not all of its AI-powered Visual Intelligence features have fully rolled out yet, which is limiting the button's perceived value.

• iPhone 16 Camera Control: Everything You Need to Know

Instant Digital has a decent track record for leaks, suggesting this is a genuine debunk of the recent report from another Weibo account indicating that Apple would drop the Camera Control from the iPhone 18 lineup due to low user engagement. Its removal would have been quite the reversal – Apple only debuted the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 series last year.

Article Link: Apple to Simplify iPhone 18 Camera Control Button, Not Remove It

That’s ok. Just do NOT remove the Camera Control button or its ability to detect multi pressure presses and swiping. I use that all the time and I think its use will increase drastically as more people buy iPhone 16 and 17 models.