What more could they do with it? Even if they could add more photographic features, users still have to learn them and be made aware of them.
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iPhone 18 Could Drop Camera Control Button, Claims Dubious Rumor
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Perhaps there is SOME truth to this rumor and that yes... the manufacturers are being told they wont need the touch sensitive button from the iPhone 18 and on.... BUT I would be what Apple might be intending to do is just replace it with a conventional button of the same size since I bet they see many people use it to LAUNCH photos... or maybe even take a photo... but almost no one uses the fancy touch features like zooming in and out, changing settings etc. They could save money by just replacing it with a conventional button and most people wont miss a thing.
I tried to use it as a shutter button but it just randomly changes things or zooms, so enh. I'm not broken up about its removal. The volume button as shutter is much more reliable.
I wish it could be repurposed for scrolling. It would be handy to scroll and be able to see all the content without your big dumb fingers in the way.
I wish it could be repurposed for scrolling. It would be handy to scroll and be able to see all the content without your big dumb fingers in the way.
I agree. I had an MBP with a Touch Bar that I gave up on because of the keyboard. However much I found the Touch Bar to have promise, I never found a use for it.
In this case, I use the button to grab a QR code or a quick shot of something I want to reference later. For other photos, I hold the phone horizontally with my right index finger on the up volume button as the shutter and use the camera button with my left thumb to handle the zoom. It's actually more convenient than using the screen to zoom when the phone is in that orientation.
Now, do I need it? Nope. Have I grown to like it? Yep. Would I be disappointed if it disappeared (especially on the Pro models, since those are the better cameras)? Probably. Would it stop me from ever getting another iPhone? No (the Liquid Glass UI will accomplish that!).
I see what you're saying, but part of that responsibility falls to the user to research it and learn about it. I suspect that's partially why it's not being used—no one's photo-taking workflow is being interrupted (unlike how removing the Touch ID, for example, changed how we had to log into our phones).
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It seems I'm not the norm here, but I love that button. I use it constantly. I learned the best way to use it is to not use it for zoom, but use it to switch cameras; so I swap between 0.5x, 2x and 5x effortlessly, even to selfie mode. I also lock in exposure sometimes. The other day, I put on a watertight case that had a terrible implementation of the button, and that's when I realized how much I've become dependent on it... My only issue is the choice of cameras Apple went with, 5x is too much and 2x is not great cause it's cropped. Really miss that optical 3x.
Honestly, the button is ok. More than anything, I like that I have quick access to take pictures. It's not 'game changing,' but I like that I don't have to swipe/select on my screen to access.
I love Camera Control! It's a super technical button that only Apple could've done right. My only gripe is the placement needs to be more intuitive.
It can still do what it does now. However, changing modes doesn’t feel smooth, it can be pressed accidentally, etc.
Just got a 16pro, and was excited about the camera button. Doesn’t work well for me - was hoping for silky smooth zoom capability - it’s not. It seems quite choppy, so I resort to using ‘two finger zoom’ on the screen. If they can fix that in software, I’d give it another try.
I’m guessing it was originally intended to use Visual Intelligence frequently and at a press of a button. With the Apple Intelligence delay, the button isn’t used that frequently.
Highly doubt it. Apple might be planning to have more software control options with it this year.
I totally forgot about using the volume button for pics. Thanks for reminding me.
NO! Apple should keep this feature, those that don't like it just get the case that will cover it...
The only actual useful feature that has been added in a while and the pure reason I upgraded and they already want to get rid of it after a year? Same way they got rid of my beloved mini? F.... this...
The quick access to camera instead that stupid swiping is god-send!
best iphone: Mini with 120hz screen and reasonable camera with this Shutter button and I would kill for it. Compact, useful phone that would actually be great as phone.
The only actual useful feature that has been added in a while and the pure reason I upgraded and they already want to get rid of it after a year? Same way they got rid of my beloved mini? F.... this...
The quick access to camera instead that stupid swiping is god-send!
best iphone: Mini with 120hz screen and reasonable camera with this Shutter button and I would kill for it. Compact, useful phone that would actually be great as phone.
Rally a minimum of 20 million user base to buy iPhone mini or nothing will happen.
Nah. It’s not even about SIM slots, cause international iPhone (aka non-US iPhone) still has their SIM slots.
When you need to take a photo but can’t spare two hands, that’s when the camera button comes in clutch. I used it many times when I wanted to take a photo but could not spare two hands. And it did a decent enough job for that. Also launching cameras.
So does adding more confusing and inconsistent onscreen controls. For example, why so many ways to “go back”? Why a button at top left and not systemwide swipe from left to right? Simplicity is not just about adding minimum number of buttons. It’s also about making iOS simple and intuitive to use. But I just don’t see it happening these days.
There are dozens of us...
This would solve the problem for me. I personally don't like the button if someone made a high-quality case, then I would be less concerned.
Honestly it feels like an item that made it to production that Tim wanted to recoup costs for...
...that said it feels like something in progress as is most of Apple software these days. They'll just refine it in production, make money, and let the managers that have no idea how to build software take control.
...that said it feels like something in progress as is most of Apple software these days. They'll just refine it in production, make money, and let the managers that have no idea how to build software take control.
True, it can be disabled. With that in mind, Apple realised what a questionable design and location the button is, knowing that those of us who buy a phone to use as a phone would be unhappy. That reason alone should have been enough reason for Apple not to implement the button where it is.
I'm not sure what would be a better location for the button. I hold my phone in my left hand, 99 percent of the time. I use the camera for photos about 1 percent of the time. I have taken maybe two intentional videos with my phone.
The location is not perfect but makes sense as a balance between portrait and landscape orientations.
In portrait orientation, I push the button with the interphalangeal joint of my thumb, or sometimes with the tip of my thumb (distal phalanx). In landscape orientation, I push the button with the tip of my index finger (distal phalanx).
If I were left handed (I've taken photos left-handed so these are based on my experience), in landscape orientation I'd push it with the distal phalanx of my thumb and in portrait mode with the tip of my index finger or even my middle finger.