Apple's Latest Ad Highlights iPhone 16's New Camera Control Button

[Return Zero]

I hate to say it, but I'm pretty sure Apple added this button because if they didn't it would be too glaringly obvious that the 16 Pro wasn't much of an upgrade, especially when lacking Apple intelligence at launch. Trying to drum up sales by shoving gimmacky features down our throats doesn't bode well for the future of Apple.

Perhaps. To Apple’s credit, I think a lot of photographers were actually asking for some kind of feature like this. So it’s not like they made the idea up out of thin air.

I think maybe the worst part of it all is the two features this button was actually designed around haven’t actually shipped in software yet: visual intelligence and two-stage shutter with focus/wb lock.

 

[svish]

Good ad. Don't think the new button is very useful. In fact both the action button and camera button are not really useful.

 

[dmn11]

Most unnecessary feature ever added to an iPhone

"Another year we have nothing new to add to our iPhone. I know, let's add another button"

It's not a button

 

[dmn11]

This is the 1st time I see an add that highlights all the drawbacks... it takes ages to go through the different menu layers - look at how long it takes to just zoom... Apple needs to simplify the navigation and reduce some of the options controlled by the button

 

[The Game 161]

even since having it i only use it for opening camera .

 

[black_knight]

Love the camera button. Good job Apple for having a dedicated physical button for activating/using the camera. We have a lot of people that lack hand eye coordination that have issues with shaking the phone. Pro tip: turn the phone so the camera button is on the bottom when in landscape. Easy peasy and lots of stability and leverage to control the button properly.

Furthermore, it’s the fastest way to take a picture and the easiest. Thanks again!

Oh, speaking of removing things, please remove the swipe to the left Lock Screen camera access feature. THAT is what needs to be gone! I can’t tell you how many times that stupid gesture activates the camera.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

I hate this button:
1. It is so difficult to use (the swiping, double light tapping, etc)
2. It makes taking a photo take way too long
3. The cut-outs in the cases trick me into always thinking thats the top left of the phone, rather than the bottom right
4. Out of the box, it's just yet another (5th) way to open the camera app.
5. Nobody asked for it. Nobody needs it. Nobody likes it.

I was a fan of the Macbook Touchbar, but now I understand the hate the touchbar got with the way this stupid button pisses me off.

If Apple were going to give the iPhone a camera control button it should have been a sticking out tactile button with a physical zoom dial (used exclusively for zooming the camera) with a focus on this iPhone being a camera purchase for professional photography and filmmaking work. An iPhone model distinct from Max, namely iPhone Ultra. Further distinguishing Ultra from non-ultra iPhones, other iPhones would drop the Max and Plus branding and instead move to marketing by screen size.

Features:

Double the battery life of the current iPhone Max. Physical camera shutter button and physical zoom dial with a focus on usability of those two feature. Lines of magnetically attached professional camera lenses manufactured by several key industry players from the photography world. Available in 1 TB and 2 TB storage choices. Super-fast charging speed up to 50% SoC.

 

[Kermit262]

Here is the thing...you don't HAVE to use the button to use the camera or any of its controls. You can still use the touchscreen as you always have.

However, you can choose to learn how to use the camera control and it may very well give you a more camera like experience for those who like using buttons to control their camera. Is it perfect? Of course not. But I think its a start and I dont think we have seen everything Apple has in mind yet.

You’re being far too reasonable. Surely you can think of something negative to say about it. /s

 

[wbeasley]

Steve Jobs said it during the reveal of the first iPhone... you have that beautiful big touchscreen for any type of controls you need, then they go and add this button with a little island of tiny controls crammed in it.

Jobs was also talking about a first gen phone that is almost NOTHING like today's phones.

The first few gen the cameras were pretty average.
Nothing you would rely on. Carry a proper camera if you wanted decent shots.

Now it's a burden to carry a "proper camera" when phones are almost universally OK or great.
Some low end enthusiast cameras dont do panorama or video as well as phones.
And harder to get images off them to use.

iPhones in general put a lot of power and editing and sending options in your hand.
So a camera-like button, in the usual place, does make sense. For many.

And if you dont like it, it's optional.

If it encourages more people to shoot landscape video, that's a win too.

 

[Markgnyc2]

You’re being far too reasonable. Surely you can think of something negative to say about it. /s

The funny thing is, as the newer reviews are coming out, the people who actually spent a few weeks with the phone are saying the camera control actually works well for them. I think you have to get used to doing things a bit differently. Again, you don't HAVE to use the camera control button at all. But from my experience, you will enjoy using it if you give it a chance.

 

[citysnaps]

The funny thing is, as the newer reviews are coming out, the people who actually spent a few weeks with the phone are saying the camera control actually works well for them. I think you have to get used to doing things a bit differently. Again, you don't HAVE to use the camera control button at all. But from my experience, you will enjoy using it if you give it a chance.

Spot-on.

Don't like it? Don't use it. Apple gives you a choice.

But... if you're seriously into photography and making photographs, give it a chance. It takes a bit of getting used to. But in the end you'll be rewarded with an outstanding option that may help you make better photographs.

I suspect many here complaining about it spent a whole 60 seconds of consideration trying it out, and then proclaimed it a flop. There seems to be a rich history of that occurring here with every new Apple product.

 

[dampfnudel]

I would had bought the iPhone 16 Pro if it had 8K video recording.

Apple could’ve added it to the 16 Pro given the capabilities of the A18 Pro chip, but Apple needs to feature ration in preparation for the 17 Pro which most likely will get it.

 

[MacBookPro88]

I'm loving the new camera control button. Totally used to it.

It's a much better way to make photographs.

You love everything apple. You never criticize anything they do lmao

 

[citysnaps]

You love everything apple. You never criticize anything they do lmao

Not true at all. Why do you care so much? That feels pretty creepy keeping tabs on me like that. Do you keep a log book?

Also... you seem to be highly amused with respect to how I view photography and how I *make* photographs. Why is that? Please elaborate in detail.

Are you a photographer?

 

[MacBookPro88]

Not true at all. Why do you care so much? That feels pretty creepy keeping tabs on me like that. Do you keep a log book?

Also... you seem to be highly amused with respect to how I view photography and how I *make* photographs. Why is that? Please elaborate in detail.

Are you a photographer?

It’s pretty obvious to remember the same people that get upset over any criticism of Apple in every thread.

 

[citysnaps]

It’s pretty obvious to remember the same people that get upset over any criticism of Apple in every thread.

Not upset at all. Just an observation going back 20 years. You'd think people complaining so frequently (every day) would want to step up and switch brands purchasing superior competitor phones/computers/etc. My theory is it feels better complaining every day.

Getting back to your "laughing out loud" response to my views about photography and how I choose to make photographs... What's up with that?

Are you a photographer who has something important to contribute on the subject? I'd love to hear your views. Seriously.

 

[bebarhood]

This might be the only reason why I am not upgrading my 13 PM the 16 PM is because of this "button". I tried it in the Apple store and couldn't see the benefit of it. Hoping they will get rid of it for the 17 Pro.

 

[lilkwarrior]

I hate to say it, but I'm pretty sure Apple added this button because if they didn't it would be too glaringly obvious that the 16 Pro wasn't much of an upgrade, especially when lacking Apple intelligence at launch. Trying to drum up sales by shoving gimmacky features down our throats doesn't bode well for the future of Apple.

It’s a prosumer feature that aligns with making photo and video taking with all the various options many would want to change in-the-moment significantly more viable.

Modern DSLRs and creative equipment benefit from such hardware.

Apple has features far faster configurable through the button than by touch

 

[SBlue1]

Tried the button in the store, the position is idiotic. When shooting vertical it’s too low, when shooting landscape it’s too far left. And if you are lefthanded you are screwed. I wonder how this got approved. LOL!

 

[Razorpit]

It was a bummer to try this and realize it's way too clumsy to actually use. The buttons on the touch screen are much more accessible and quick. Very few circumstances where I would use this and it tends to also get in the way of using the button just to take a photo. Very easy to accidentally toggle settings when you dont intend to. I did find you can within accessibility actually disable everything other than using it to launch the camera and take a photo.

Holding to start video also kinda sucks. You have to keep holding for as long as you want to record. It should just continue until you click the button again.

So if I want to record my kid’s hockey game, I now have to hold the button down for an hour? That’s a terrible design.

 

[azhava]

So if I want to record my kid’s hockey game, I now have to hold the button down for an hour? That’s a terrible design.

Or, since it's something you can anticipate and prepare for, you could unlock your phone, open the Camera app, select Video mode, and record it like iPhones have always recorded video (push the button to start, push the button to stop).

The new method with the CC button is for catching quick, spur of the moment videos that you didn't anticipate. For that purpose it's a good, useful design.

 

[lilkwarrior]

So if I want to record my kid’s hockey game, I now have to hold the button down for an hour? That’s a terrible design.

That isn’t how it works at all.

You press it once to start recording, and once to stop just like with touch but faster to initially access

 

[Ian Howlett]

If I had a thumb coming out of the middle of the palm of my hand the Camera Control button would be perfect.

 

[ChedNasad]

That isn’t how it works at all.

You press it once to start recording, and once to stop just like with touch but faster to initially access

If it opens on video mode sure. If it opens on photos no you have to hold it. I have yet to find a way to change modes to video without touch the screen and at that point what is the purpose of the button?

 

[mxrider88]

Best way to miss or mess up a shot and introduce camera shake when pressing it. Way to go Apple.