Is the iPhone 18 Getting a New Photo Button? Here's What We Know!

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With just three weeks until the iPhone 17 hits the shelves, attention is already shifting to the iPhone 18 as speculation mounts. The Camera Control button, first introduced with the iPhone 16, faced its share of criticism, and Apple might be considering a revamp. The feature is expected to stay but in a more streamlined form.

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The Controversial Camera Button

To recap, this dedicated button features both a pressure sensor and a capacitive touch surface, offering precise control over the Camera app. Some think it’s too complicated to be practical, including opinions from our editorial team.

• A single click: opens the Camera app or a compatible third-party app
• A single click within the Camera app: snaps a photo,
• A long press: launches the Camera app and starts recording video,
• A gentle, single tap: locks focus and exposure on a subject (to be available later in fall 2024),
• A light double tap: brings up a mini preview menu of the camera, letting users select various controls like exposure or depth of field,
• Swiping across the button’s surface: adjusts various settings such as zoom, exposure, or depth of field.

While this system was designed to appeal to mobile photography enthusiasts, it also represents a complex technical achievement to manufacture. Thus, there is talk of reverting to a more basic approach with the iPhone 18.

According to Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple is currently conducting extensive testing on the iPhone 18’s button. However, a significant change is on the cards: the tactile part of the Camera Control would be dropped in favor of a simple pressure-sensitive button. Essentially, the button would still enable image capturing and video recording but would lose its advanced sliding and tapping functionalities.

Cost and Reliability Concerns

The leaker points out two reasons behind this simplification: the high production cost of the integrated touch technology, and concerns about long-term reliability, as the component is more prone to wear than traditional buttons.

Unofficially, it’s also likely that user feedback has influenced this decision. Despite its benefits, the button may be too complex for many in the general public.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus review: