Technical Insights: The Camera Control Button of the Apple iPhone 16

Nerdy Details: The Apple iPhone 16’s Camera Control Button

Apple’s Johnnie Manzari and Rich Dinh share insights on the new control and how it helps people capture more photo/video opportunities in this special episode of Design Tangents.

We love getting into the nerdy details of design innovations and the iPhone 16‘s new Camera Control button presented a perfect opportunity to dig in. For this first podcast of our new Design Tangents series aptly named Nerdy Details we sit down with Johnnie Manzari from the Apple Human Interface team and Rich Dinh, Senior Director of Product Design, to talk about cameras and photography through the lens of the new control on “the world’s most popular camera.” Camera Control represents years of collaboration between Apple‘s design and engineering teams and the unassuming feature packs a punch, elevating the iPhone’s photography capabilities through a combination of hardware and software innovations.

According to Dinh, who leads the iPhone design team and has worked on all 16 generations of the iPhone, the control’s design was meticulously considered down to the smallest detail. “The amazing thing when you look at the button is it is flush, and so for day-to-day use we’re hoping that the phone feels very much like your phone today in terms of how you grip it and handle it, but we’ve added a little chamfer in there to give that really lovely half press and full press experience with the button flush.” This attention to tactile feedback is complemented by the use of premium materials like sapphire and stainless steel, ensuring both durability and a premium feel.

By lightly pressing on the button, you signal to the phone that you are intending to take a photo. That led to all sorts of interesting new experiences that we started to design.
—Johnnie Manzari

The control’s capabilities extend far beyond a simple click. As a human interface designer, Manzari explains how utilizing a force sensor and a capacitive sensor enables a range of adjustments, from composition to exposure. “By lightly pressing on the button, you signal to the phone that you are intending to take a photo. That led to all sorts of interesting new experiences that we started to design.” This level of control and customization elevates the iPhone’s camera to new heights, empowering users of all skill levels to capture their vision.

Tune in to Design Tangents to learn more about all the nerdy details of Apple’s new Camera Control.