Camera Control on the iPhone 16 reinvents the shutter button for an AI age

The new button gives users off-screen access to camera functions, AI features, and more.

Camera Control on the iPhone 16 reinvents the shutter button for an AI age
  • The iPhone 16 series introduces Apple’s new Camera Control button.
  • The button can distinguish between light and firm presses and can detect gestures, supporting a number of camera functions and modes.
  • Holding the Camera Control activates a Google Lens-style search function.

Apple has recognized that the photography world might have lost something when we started tapping our phone screens to take photos. Today’s launch of the iPhone 16 includes the unveiling of a new Camera Control button on the side of the device, offering a lot more functionality than just a simple shutter.

Flush to the surface of the phone, clicking the button launches the camera app. A firm press of the button takes a photo, but a light press opens up options you would usually access on the screen. These can then be scrolled by sliding your finger along the button.