The iPhone 16 is Getting a New Button: Here's What It Can Do

[pacmania1982]

And here's me having never pressed the action button on my iPhone 15 Pro Max....

 

[Matsamoto]

That’s it.
I’m gonna upgrade from my 15 Pro to the 16 Pro🙃

 

[D-a-a-n]

I think they should just get rid of them apart from the new action button.

1. Press it to put the phone on silent.
2. Roll your finger up to increase volume
3. Roll your finger down to instantly mute it.
4. Press towards one end to take a photo.
5. Press towards the other end to call 911.
6. Flick it to express dismay at the current app and rate it one star.
7. Lick it to order dinner.
8. Shout at it to summon Siri
9. Caress it slowly in circles to make a phone call.
10. Caress it slowly in circles in the opposite direction to set off an emergency alert.
11. Triple press it to unlock the phone
12. Double press it to turn flight mode on.
13. Tap -.-. .- -- . .-. .- to open the camera.

See look what you can do with just that one button!

 

[cjsuk]

And here's me having never pressed the action button on my iPhone 15 Pro Max....

Lies! You pressed it at least twice when you got it, went "ooooh ahhhhh" then never touched it again. That's what I did anyway.

 

[pacmania1982]

Lies! You pressed it at least twice when you got it, went "ooooh ahhhhh" then never touched it again. That's what I did anyway.

Nope! If I have ever touched it, it was totally by accident.

 

[klky]

Shooting one-handed will likely introduce more shake. Much better to use two hands (especially for horizontal framing). Something I always do.

Regarding the upcoming shutter button... If its well positioned and a light touch, I'll be very happy.

I'm not suggesting that shooting one-handed is the best way to take photos, but rather the reality of how many people actually take photos with their phones. In the case of selfies for example, it's arguably optimal to shoot one-handed. But my point was, even two handed, a physical button would introduce more shake than simply touching the screen. I'm sure Apple has considered this and it'll be interesting to see what they do. Perhaps like you said, it'll just require a light touch. Any more than that, there might be a lot of people wondering why their photos are suddenly all blurry.

 

[nicolas_s]

People: More options is always better, it gives us more choice, and if we don't like it, we simply don't use it! It's always a win!

Apple: *adds an option*

People: What the hell Apple, there are too many options! 😡

 

[wanha]

The "Action Button" might be the lamest thing Apple has ever done with the iPhone. Totally useless, give me back my ringer switch.

You can already use the volume button to take pictures, we don't need a dedicated button for that. What exactly is the point of all this?

being able to autofocus and zoom in and out without touching the screen seem like pretty useful things to me

 

[Powerbooky]

Just move the “power” button to the top again. Ever since that thing is on the side I’ve inadvertently turned my iPhone into standby so often when I’m about to take a video or photo while holding it firmly in landscape.

 

[uacd]

Usual day at Apple:

2017
- Guys we need to remove buttons!
- Ok, be it home button.

2024
- Okay guys, we need another button!
- Ok, we need shutter button

 

[Boeingfan]

If only it had its battery life

Indeed. Those days of almost weekly charges and monthly standby. I use to rock a leather case with a belt clip too mind you! 😄

 

[nottorp]

What gestures can you do with this "advanced" button by using the lint in your pockets?

And on a more serious note, this is "designed in california" and won't work at all at -15 C with gloves, right?

 

[JulianL]

I just hope some third party accessory manufacturer produces a dummy stick-on button so that I can stick one onto my iPhone 15 and make everyone think I've got an iPhone 16.

 

[ibookemo]

I like this addition. Makes it feel more like a camera - one of my main uses for it.

 

[The Game 161]

sounds pretty good in fairness. hopefully the cameras are improved.

 

[JosephAW]

I think they should just get rid of them apart from the new action button.

1. Press it to put the phone on silent.
2. Roll your finger up to increase volume
3. Roll your finger down to instantly mute it.
4. Press towards one end to take a photo.
5. Press towards the other end to call 911.
6. Flick it to express dismay at the current app and rate it one star.
7. Lick it to order dinner.
8. Shout at it to summon Siri
9. Caress it slowly in circles to make a phone call.
10. Caress it slowly in circles in the opposite direction to set off an emergency alert.
11. Triple press it to unlock the phone
12. Double press it to turn flight mode on.
13. Tap -.-. .- -- . .-. .- to open the camera.

See look what you can do with just that one button!

I see what you spelled out 📷

 

[JosephAW]

Hate that the side button has so many functions including lock purchase accessibility options, etc.
Just love it when sliding left on the lock screen to open the camera and accidentally press the side button instead of the volume button and I have to start over again

 

[3xBoom]

iButtons 20

 

[DavidLeblond]

Wonder how case manufacturers will deal with this, seeing how it sounds its different from the other buttons on the phone.

 

[everybodylovesramen]

welp, i think i’m skipping this year and just getting myself a 13 mini

tired of this tablet in my pocket

apple needs to get with it and realize it takes LESS screen and therefor money to make smaller phones - and there absolutely always be a market for the smaller handsets

 

[RezSeeker]

Iphone 16 pro is absolutely the upgrade for me now. I don’t want my finger hovering over the image on screen for zooming.
I’m a photographer and these buttons along with the optical zoom improvements are great.

 

[timonz]

I wonder if this will actually be the touch id button for the new full screen SE?

 

[wanha]

Usual day at Apple:

2017
- Guys we need to remove buttons!
- Ok, be it home button.

2024
- Okay guys, we need another button!
- Ok, we need shutter button

I don't miss the home button one bit, because it meant the phone having a massive chin.

I welcome an advanced camera button that allows for autofocus and zooming without touching the screen, because those are genuinely useful things for people whose primary camera is their iPhone.

 

[wanha]

Iphone 16 pro is absolutely the upgrade for me now. I don’t want my finger hovering over the image on screen for zooming.
I’m a photographer and these buttons along with the optical zoom improvements are great.

Agree 100%. It's surprising how few here realize the value of this.

It's almost as if the only camera they've ever used was on a phone and they don't know any better.

 

[hoodlum90]

I’ve never seen anyone use the volume buttons to take a photo, I suspect most casual users will just ignore the button.

Probably because it not in a good location for taking landscape photos. The new button will allow for easier use for right handed shooting in landscape. I like this approach and look forward to trying it out. I presume that pressing half way will show a focus box on screen of where you are focusing. The swiping for zoom sounds interesting but will need to see how well it is implemented and how easy it is to get the framing I want without zooming in too far.