I still can't stand how the top volume and power button are right across from each other.
I can't even count the number of inadvertent screenshots I've taken over the years.
It has to be in the thousands.
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iPhone 18 Could Drop Camera Control Button, Claims Dubious Rumor
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I still can't stand how the top volume and power button are right across from each other.
I can't even count the number of inadvertent screenshots I've taken over the years.
It has to be in the thousands.
Apple 2026 To Do List
√ Drop Camera Control
√ Bring Back Real Leather Cases
√ Bring Back Real Leather Watch Bands
I actually think the Camera Control button makes sense on the Pro Max as that iPhone is clearly positioned at people who need the best possible camera. But it creates too much clutter on smaller iPhones.
Words cannot express how much I liked Apple’s leather sleeve for the 2016 9.7 inch iPad Pro. And I still use my Leather Loop Apple Watch bands, which I now treat like heirlooms. Jony Ive understood leather.
√ Drop Camera Control
√ Bring Back Real Leather Cases
√ Bring Back Real Leather Watch Bands
I actually think the Camera Control button makes sense on the Pro Max as that iPhone is clearly positioned at people who need the best possible camera. But it creates too much clutter on smaller iPhones.
Words cannot express how much I liked Apple’s leather sleeve for the 2016 9.7 inch iPad Pro. And I still use my Leather Loop Apple Watch bands, which I now treat like heirlooms. Jony Ive understood leather.
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I hope this rumour is true. Good riddance. I’ve switched mine off, think it’s a waste.
I try to use it, but wouldn't miss it. They should've tried this years ago if they were looking to make a splash by adding the button.
Camera control has been a game changer for me for capturing fleeting moments, which is probably most of the pictures I take.
I recently posted about this in another thread but I appreciate how lets me immediately open the camera no matter what state my phone is in (screen off, Lock Screen, Home Screen, in app, Notification Center, control center) with a tactile double click (without looking, never on accident). And once the camera app is launched I’m immediately able to snap a picture or start recording without lifting a finger. My finger is also in position to swipe to the appropriate lens optionally. So I go from grabbing the phone to starting to capture the moment with the appropriate lens—all without changing hand position, using only one hand (necessary in many situations), in almost no time at all. It has enabled me to capture fleeting moments that I would have normally missed using software buttons or even the action button. I would definitely miss camera control if it was removed. I hope it isn’t.
People complain about its placement but I find it just right. There are two ways I hold it—generally for portrait, I hold the phone normally but with my hand slightly lower on the phone so my (right) thumb is on the camera control button (having a phone grip helps here but is not necessary); and generally for landscape, with my (right) pointer/index finger on the camera control button and my thumb on the bottom long edge of the phone. I can use either hand position for either portrait or landscape simply by rotating the phone if needed, but it’s not as comfortable if holding there for a long time, so I would switch positions at first opportunity. But if the location of the button was moved, it would make one or both of those holding methods impractical.
I recently posted about this in another thread but I appreciate how lets me immediately open the camera no matter what state my phone is in (screen off, Lock Screen, Home Screen, in app, Notification Center, control center) with a tactile double click (without looking, never on accident). And once the camera app is launched I’m immediately able to snap a picture or start recording without lifting a finger. My finger is also in position to swipe to the appropriate lens optionally. So I go from grabbing the phone to starting to capture the moment with the appropriate lens—all without changing hand position, using only one hand (necessary in many situations), in almost no time at all. It has enabled me to capture fleeting moments that I would have normally missed using software buttons or even the action button. I would definitely miss camera control if it was removed. I hope it isn’t.
People complain about its placement but I find it just right. There are two ways I hold it—generally for portrait, I hold the phone normally but with my hand slightly lower on the phone so my (right) thumb is on the camera control button (having a phone grip helps here but is not necessary); and generally for landscape, with my (right) pointer/index finger on the camera control button and my thumb on the bottom long edge of the phone. I can use either hand position for either portrait or landscape simply by rotating the phone if needed, but it’s not as comfortable if holding there for a long time, so I would switch positions at first opportunity. But if the location of the button was moved, it would make one or both of those holding methods impractical.
You can very easily disable that button via Settings -> Accessibility -> Camera Control.
Many people with iPhones who make photos and take photography seriously like that feature.
Lol. No more titanium. No more camera control button. Soon the dynamic island is gone too i favour of all-screen. The 15 and 16 series sure were a great purchase.
I agree. The camera button is useless, camera app is nearly so. I am a pro and these sort of tings don't fly well. Oh and one more thing, The minimum storage on any device should 1TB. 256gb is a joke. Just them and their weird mindset.
Camera control is an example of a good idea executed in the worst way possible. The button is in a terrible position for both vertical and horizontal use and its combination of taps and swipes is a UX nightmare compared to the on-screen controls.
This year's upcoming iPhone 17 models could be the last of Apple's smartphones to include a Camera Control button because not enough iPhone owners are using it, claims a questionable new rumor out of China.
In a post Tuesday, Weibo-based account "OvO OvO OvO OvO" (previously "OvO Baby Sauce OvO") claimed that Apple has informed suppliers it won't continue ordering the component, citing low engagement among users and a desire to cut costs.
It's a questionable claim, to say the least. The leaker behind it has no proven track record, is known mostly for aggregating other people's rumors, and has provided no source for this particular assertion. Without further evidence or corroborating reports, the suggestion that Apple is already planning to drop the Camera Control button should be treated with caution.
That being said, the button has proven divisive ever since its debut on the iPhone 16 series. Some users appreciate the added tactile control for zooming and quick adjustments, and have even likened it to professional camera hardware. However, others report they barely use it and consider it redundant alongside existing on-screen controls.
Whether Apple continues to refine Camera Control, rethinks its role, or phases it out entirely will likely depend on how much value it ultimately adds for the majority of users. Speculation about its demise is almost surely premature, but it just goes to show how polarizing a new button can be – Apple faced similar discontent when it swapped out the mute switch for the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro models.
Do you find Camera Control useful? Would you miss it if Apple nixed it from the iPhone 18 series? Let us know in the comments.
Article Link: iPhone 18 Could Drop Camera Control Button, Claims Dubious Rumor
While it is helpful for quick launching the camera, this could have been easily solved by allowing users to remap the double press of the wake button from wallet to camera (since you can already add a wallet shortcut to the lock screen and control panel). Then they could also allow you to disable the left swipe to open camera which has resulted in my camera turning itself on when putting it in my bag countless times and running down the battery.
Interesting how Apple decides to over-engineer a button that's borderline useless but can't be bothered to add an on/off capability to AirPods Max. I hold firm that "It just works" should be appended with"...just not always how you want it to."
Am I the only one that loves it? Worked on it for a little while and it's just so useful. Can easily change so many settings from just this location. Big hit for me.
Also for people who hit it accidentally you can change it to be double click to open camera. I love it but I have it set up that way because found the camera on in my pocket twice.
Try to learn to use it. you might like it.
Also for people who hit it accidentally you can change it to be double click to open camera. I love it but I have it set up that way because found the camera on in my pocket twice.
Try to learn to use it. you might like it.
I had a dream last night of using an SLR camera with a button. Damn that MF worked every single time. This is an omen, for sure, that there will be a button on the 17 Pro Max 🍸😸 and that I will get one
Or you know, just double tap volume down for camera. Double tap volume up for flashlight. When phone is locked.
I'd really love the ability to program it, like the "Action" button. But, I won't miss it, either, if it goes away.
I thought it was a nice idea when it was announced, but I’ve never gotten into the habit of using it. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks, eh.
What they really ought to do is turn it into a second fully programmable action button. Want it as a shutter button? Cool. Want it to do something else? Also cool. And remove the stupid swipe functionality.
What they really ought to do is turn it into a second fully programmable action button. Want it as a shutter button? Cool. Want it to do something else? Also cool. And remove the stupid swipe functionality.
I would be enraged by this. The swipe control on the button is fiddly enough to be only moderately useful, but I use the button itself constantly, and could not believe it took Apple until this year to add it.
I’m in a contract position to upgrade my iPhone at little cost every year and have since I think the X, but removing the camera button is about the only thing I can imagine that would likely have me skip an upgrade and keep my old phone for a while.
I’m in a contract position to upgrade my iPhone at little cost every year and have since I think the X, but removing the camera button is about the only thing I can imagine that would likely have me skip an upgrade and keep my old phone for a while.
While I fully appreciate the useful features iPhones offer, the camera control button isn’t one of them.
Currently tolerating it on my iPhone 16 Pro Max, the moment a new iPhone Pro Max comes out without the button I’m dumping this horrible phone.
Currently tolerating it on my iPhone 16 Pro Max, the moment a new iPhone Pro Max comes out without the button I’m dumping this horrible phone.
I've never tried one, but the principles of it seemed good.
Trying to pinch to zoom with sweaty fingers at a gig isn't great, especially one-handed, so sliding a finger along the edge seems a good idea. Trying to lock focus/brightness on a certain area seems awkward too, so being able to half-press to set focus on the centre-point, then full-press to finally take the photo makes sense to me.
So I can only presume based on these comments they've made a right pig's ear of the control. Can they not improve it in SW? Based on what others have put can you not make it a useful camera button, but that doesn't launch the camera app and does nothing until you're in the actual app (to stop accidentally opening the camera unintentionally)?
Seems a great idea to me on paper, but very poorly implemented based on comments I've read here.
Trying to pinch to zoom with sweaty fingers at a gig isn't great, especially one-handed, so sliding a finger along the edge seems a good idea. Trying to lock focus/brightness on a certain area seems awkward too, so being able to half-press to set focus on the centre-point, then full-press to finally take the photo makes sense to me.
So I can only presume based on these comments they've made a right pig's ear of the control. Can they not improve it in SW? Based on what others have put can you not make it a useful camera button, but that doesn't launch the camera app and does nothing until you're in the actual app (to stop accidentally opening the camera unintentionally)?
Seems a great idea to me on paper, but very poorly implemented based on comments I've read here.