iPhone 16 Apple Silicone Cases Have No Cutout for New Capture Button

[MacRumors]

Apple is introducing a new camera-based "Capture" button on at least some iPhone 16 models this year, and a new rumor claims that Apple's own silicone cases will have a design that is specially made so as not to impede the use of the capacitive button's multiple functions.

Several rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that's designed to make it easier to capture photos when the devices are held in landscape mode. Apple plans to put the button on the right side of the ‌iPhone‌, in the space where the mmWave antenna is on iPhones that are sold in the United States.

As a capacitive button geared towards fine-grained photography controls, it is said to have support for multiple gestures and the ability to respond to pressure. In a new post on X (Twitter), Chinese leaker DuanRui shared an image of unofficial third-party silicone cases with an opening in the expected location of the Capture button.

While these unofficial cases have a cutout for the Capture button, a machine-translated comment on the image by DuanRui claims that "the official protective case of Apple's iPhone 16 series will not have this opening and will be made into an integrated design, which will not affect the normal use of this capacitive button."

The Capture Button has been depicted in CAD renders and dummy models of all four ‌iPhone‌ devices, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last week suggested that there is a possibility that it will only be available on the Pro models.

Along with a Capture Button, the ‌iPhone 16‌ models will feature slightly bigger displays on the Pro devices, a new A18 chip that supports Apple Intelligence, and 8GB RAM for all models, which is necessary to power Apple's AI models. For more on what's expected to be revealed at Apple's upcoming "It's Glowtime" event on September 9, make sure to check out our iPhone 16 roundup.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Apple Silicone Cases Have No Cutout for New Capture Button

 

[BelgianChoklit]

When it comes to the iPhone 16 lineup, I'm most curious to see if the regular models will also get a 120Hz display. I think not, I think they'll only do so when there will be a new big upgrade to the Pro's display to keep differentiation between the 2 models. I think they will do it next year when the Pro models get less reflective screens or something.

 

[orbital~debris]

It will be interesting to see what Apple have planned for their own cases to accommodate the rumoured new functionality, where third-party manufacturers have opted to just cut a hole in the case.

 

[klky]

I'm curious as to how Apple (and others) will handle the case design around this purported capacitative button. Presumably the case would need to be exposed around this button to allow proper touch control, but designed in a way that doesn't impede smooth operation given it's pretty flat judging from the renders.

 

[klky]

When it comes to the iPhone 16 lineup, I'm most curious to see if the regular models will also get a 120Hz display. I think not, I think they'll only do so when there will be a new big upgrade to the Pro's display to keep differentiation between the 2 models. I think they will do it next year when the Pro models get less reflective screens or something.

Won't be this year unfortunately.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I am more amazed that it is the same dual camera setup on a phone that costs nearly a grand in 2024. Moving the camera lenses into different orientations to make it look different in each iteration rather than offering something rival companies have been offering at a similar price point for the past few years.

 

[Motawa]

because only the pro have the capacitive

 

[iZac]

To be honest a dedicated landscape capture button on an iPhone is the best thing Apple could ever do, to combat the scourge of Vertical Video ... that they themselves helped create!

 

[lenningj]

Apple has to account for the drop in $ against £ on Monday for the 16 line up pricing. No way pushing £899 for base model is acceptable on the 16

 

[orbital~debris]

I am more amazed that it is the same dual camera setup on a phone that costs nearly a grand in 2024. Moving the camera lenses into different orientations to make it look different in each iteration rather than offering something rival companies have been offering at a similar price point for the past few years.

I'd say the end result – rather than the specification – is what's important with photography.
And the end results from iPhone are amongst the top of the pack.

 

[desslr]

I still can't believe the differentiation between Pro and Standard models will be negligible if anything. Same chip, same RAM...

 

[contacos]

is the iPhone 16 Pro supposed to get the exact same camera features as the iPhone 16 Pro Max this year?

I upgraded to an Samsung Fold 6 and therefore I do not need such a big iPhone anymore and I'd like to trade in my iPhone 15 Plus to use the iPhone as my "main camera" and work phone.

 

[Motawa]

To be honest a dedicated landscape capture button on an iPhone is the best thing Apple could ever do to combat the scourge of Vertical Video ... that they themselves helped create!

exactly. AND photos.

 

[cocoua]

I am more amazed that it is the same dual camera setup on a phone that costs nearly a grand in 2024. Moving the camera lenses into different orientations to make it look different in each iteration rather than offering something rival companies have been offering at a similar price point for the past few years.

I guess this is more in line with spatial videos for the vision pro

 

[clg82]

Another button is probably the most innovative thing they could have added...kudos to Apple...end sarcasm

 

[anthonyjr]

Did they mean “New Cutout” instead of “No Cutout” in the title?

 

[cocoua]

Another button is probably the most innovative thing they could have added...kudos to Apple...end sarcasm

dont be so tough with them, they just couldn't afford fixing for free more components in the warranty period, now they have some cash they are ready to add this little thing we all were waiting since 2009

 

[opiapr]

Did they mean “New Cutout” instead of “No Cutout” in the title?

Read the article the answer is right there on the first paragraph.

 

[Ctrlos]

I'm curious as to how Apple (and others) will handle the case design around this purported capacitative button. Presumably the case would need to be exposed around this button to allow proper touch control, but designed in a way that doesn't impede smooth operation given it's pretty flat judging from the renders.

Its possible that the button on the case is a seperate. capacitive material that conducts down to the button to complete the circuit. The Silicon would act as an insulator and nor interfere with its function.

A bigger thing is how Apple still get away with their lint-magnet silicon cases. TPU ones are much better.

 

[Arran]

Read the article the answer is right there on the first paragraph.

How are you interpreting ”specially made”? Cutout or no cutout? It’s not clear either way:

Apple is introducing a new camera-based "Capture" button on at least some iPhone 16 models this year, and a new rumor claims that Apple's own silicone cases will have a design that is specially made so as not to impede the use of the capacitive button's multiple functions.

 

[klasma]

If true, this means the button won't support swiping for zooming as previously rumored.

 

[Ctrlos]

Another button is probably the most innovative thing they could have added...kudos to Apple...end sarcasm

You have to take the long view. Phone innovation is glacial but so is the market. Most customers keep their phone for a minimum of 3 years and don't upgrade annually. Apple releases annual models to make sure people don't jump ship to a more recent Android device but the people buying them are 3 generations behind.

In other words the comparison is not 'what does it do vs the iPhone 15?' but rather 'what does it do vs my iPhone 13?' Somebody coming away from 2021's devices actually has a lot to look forward to

 

[Ctrlos]

If true, this means the button won't support swiping for zooming as previously rumored.

The button is capacitive. It just needs another capacitive material on top to keep working. If this didn't happen screen protectors would be useless.

 

[klasma]

And the end results from iPhone are amongst the top of the pack.

Not with the unnatural post-processing they are adding.

 

[klasma]

I still can't believe the differentiation between Pro and Standard models will be negligible if anything. Same chip, same RAM...

It won't be the exact same chip, probably A18 vs. A18 Pro.