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

Multiple rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that's designed to make it easier to capture photos when the devices are held in landscape mode.

iPhone 16 Pro Right Side Feature
Apple calls the button the Capture Button internally, and it is going to be one of the most advanced buttons that's been introduced to date with support for multiple gestures and the ability to respond to pressure. Here's everything the button will be able to do, according to rumors:

  • Lightly press on the button to autofocus while capturing an image or video.
  • Press harder on the button to take a photo.
  • Swipe left and right on the button to zoom in and out.
  • There may also be a gesture for switching between photo mode and video mode, similar to how you can capture a video with a press and swipe in the iPhone camera app.

The ability to autofocus with a light press on the button will be a gesture that DSLR camera owners are used to, as this is often how you autofocus when using a high-end camera.

Apple plans to put the button on the right side of the ‌iPhone‌, in the space where the mmWave antenna is on iPhones that are sold in the United States. The mmWave antenna will be moving to the left side of the device to make space.

The Capture Button has been depicted in CAD renders and dummy models of all four ‌iPhone‌ devices, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week suggested that there is a possibility that it will only be available on the Pro models.

With the Capture Button, Apple will be able to encourage users to take images and videos captured in landscape orientation, which are better viewed on the Vision Pro headset.

Along with a Capture Button, the ‌iPhone 16‌ models will feature slightly bigger displays, a new A18 chip that supports Apple Intelligence, and 8GB RAM for all models, which is necessary to power Apple's AI models. For more on what's expected, make sure to check out our iPhone 16 roundup.

Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro

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Top Rated Comments

felixroqu3 Avatar
9 months ago

and it is going to be one of the most advanced buttons that's been introduced to date
This is too damn funny ?
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CharlesShaw Avatar
9 months ago
"No, mom. Look for another button above the one you just tried."
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
magicvash Avatar
9 months ago
so we’re back to adding buttons now?
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cjsuk Avatar
9 months ago
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!
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OnePieceIsReal Avatar
9 months ago
iPhone 18 going to have 10 buttons soon lol
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macford Avatar
9 months ago
Well this will be fun for case manufacturers.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)