Why Apple Added a New Button to iPhone 16

Apple introduces an additional button to the iPhone 16, enhancing functionality and user experience

Particularly in the context of buttons and connections, Apple provides and removes. The company has consistently maintained a “less is more” stance concerning any aspect that could disrupt its devices’ feng shui.

These days, the organization is considerably more optimistic regarding buttons. The Action Button was first introduced on the Apple Watch Ultra and incorporated into the iPhone 15 last year.

On Monday, aOn Monday, another new iPhone icon, Camera Control, was introduced at Apple’s “Glowtime” event.

The feature is reminiscent of the bygone era of dedicated camera controls, which have almost entirely lost favor on smartphones. The rapid, successive addition of two new icons may appear to be a regression for specific individuals.

It is a feature, ebb, and flow component common in Apple hardware. The number of ports and switches in use fluctuates with each passing year.

It isn’t easy to fathom that Apple would include Camera Control if Apple Intelligence were not already on the horizon.

Although camera features have consistently been a critical selling point for handset enhancements, the ultimate motivation behind the button differs.

The Visual Intelligence feature to be introduced is “enabled by Camera Control,” as Software Engineering SVP and parkour enthusiast Craig Federighi observed.

Nevertheless, as with other Apple Intelligence features, it will not be released concurrently with the iPhone 16 line later this month.

The company is currently focusing on its camera functionality with the MIA feature.

The latter’s success and Apple’s ability to differentiate it from the ubiquitous Google Lens will ultimately determine whether the button will be considered a camera- or Visual Intelligence-first feature.

After the keynote, Apple provided an opportunity to trial the feature, specifically the camera feature. Visual Intelligence will not be introduced until later this year.

I struggled with my phone as I approached the feature to capture a photograph. An Apple representative kindly suggested that Camera Control would enhance my life. That is acceptable.

Camera Control requires some time to become proficient, as with any novel feature.

The most challenging aspect is determining the appropriate amount of pressure to apply to transition between features. Nevertheless, this is what distinguishes it from previous camera controls.

It is not merely a method of launching the camera application and capturing a photograph. It also allows users to navigate within the application.

This is especially crucial in the aftermath of the Action Button’s introduction on the iPhone 15. The camera was, after all, one of the available options for the trigger.

The capacitive Camera Control button provides a significantly greater variety of options than the Action Button from a hardware perspective.

Camera Control will be accessible throughout the iPhone 16 line upon its release later this month.