Apple iPhone 16 Could Offer DSLR-Level Camera Control with Rumored 'Capture Button'

Apple iPhone 16 May Bring DSLR-Like Camera Control Using Rumoured ‘Capture Button’

Last Updated: January 19, 2024, 15:54 IST Cupertino, California, USA

iPhone 16 is shaping up to be a major upgrade. The iPhone 16’s rumoured capture button may serve multiple purposes, including being touch-sensitive, allowing users to zoom and perhaps even half-press the button to focus their shot.

Apple’s iPhone 16 series is still several months away, with a potential launch in September of this year, but that does not mean that alleged details have ceased to emerge. Multiple rumours—including those related to the chipset, cameras, and now, a purported capture button—have surfaced.

According to a report by The Information, two sources familiar with the development of the iPhone 16 series have stated that Apple’s iPhone 16 capture button may serve multiple purposes, including being touch-sensitive, allowing users to zoom and perhaps even half-press the button to focus their shot, just like you can do on a real mirrorless or DSLR camera.

The report adds that this will allow users to capture videos and photos quickly when they hold their devices horizontally. Apple is expecting it to be a key selling point for the devices.

The button is now said to be mechanical in nature, meaning it may not be captive, as some previous rumors have claimed. The feature is expected to be present across the entire iPhone 16 lineup, but it is possible that Apple reserves it for the Pro models only.

It is also worth noting that, if such a button were to be included in the final models, it would be interesting to observe how third-party cases and Apple’s own would be designed—considering that a cutout would be necessary, particularly if the button is touch-enabled and has the half-press to focus feature.

In addition to the new capture button, the iPhone 16 series is also expected to feature the A18 branded chipsets, with the Pro models potentially receiving A18 Pro variants. Additionally, both the vanilla and Pro models are expected to feature larger displays, and all iPhone 16 Pro models may receive the 5X tetraprism zoom lens which is currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.