All iPhone 16s have a new button called Camera Control with an extremely interesting operation that many people appreciate.
Camera Control instantly opens the camera to take a photo or activates the iPhone 16's exclusive Visual Intelligence feature - part of Apple Intelligence.
The capacitive button detects touch presses, allowing users to select camera controls in the Camera app and zoom in and out.
The Camera Control button also works with Apple's new custom case for the iPhone 16, which doesn't require a hole.
The advent of the Camera Control button opens up an exciting future.
The advent of the Camera Control button opens up an exciting future.
But more importantly, the arrival of Camera Control would allow Apple to add Touch ID back to the iPhone whenever it wants, even if it means putting it on the side instead of under the screen.
While many people have gotten used to Face ID, there are still some who prefer Touch ID, and that’s certainly exciting news.
How Camera Control Works
The Camera Control button is located below the power button, but flush with the surface.
It doesn’t protrude like the power or volume buttons, but instead has a “sapphire crystal with a smooth texture.” To use Camera Control, users have to click it once.
Whether holding the iPhone 16 vertically or horizontally, this will open the camera app.
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Clicking the Camera Control button again will take a photo. A click-and-hold gesture will turn on video recording.
Components of the Camera Control button.
Components of the Camera Control button.
The button also features a high-precision force sensor to provide tactile feedback.
Furthermore, a “multi-touch capacitive sensor” underneath the sapphire crystal works with the signal processor to recognize touch gestures.
The iPhone 16 will differentiate between a hard press and a lighter press. The lighter press is a gesture that opens a new overlay menu on the screen below the button, allowing users to select various camera options or adjust the zoom level. Users will have to slide their finger across the sensor to select the menu or zoom in/out. A double press will bring up additional controls.
Multi-pixel capacitive sensor on iPhone 16's Camera Control button.
Multi-pixel capacitive sensor on the iPhone 16 Camera Control button.
Finally, Camera Control will get a dual-stage shutter via an update later this year that will let users lock focus and exposure like on a professional camera. A lighter press will let users reframe the shot without losing focus.
Visual Intelligence
This is a Camera Control feature exclusive to the iPhone 16 series, allowing users to press and hold the Camera Control button while pointing the iPhone at things around them. The on-device AI will recognize the context and provide additional information. It will understand that the user is pointing the phone at a restaurant to provide opening hours and reviews, or allow the user to add an event to the Calendar app when seeing an event ad on the street.
Use the Camera Control button to learn about restaurants using Visual Intelligence.
Use the Camera Control button to learn about restaurants using Visual Intelligence.
Visual Intelligence will also help identify animals and objects. Eventually, it will allow users to search the internet for objects they see around them. This is considered Apple's version of Google Lens and an alternative to Circle to Search. Visual Intelligence features will be rolled out on the iPhone 16 in the future.
Does Camera Control support Touch ID?
The Camera Control button could change the way users use their iPhones. Given the complexity of the hardware and software, many are wondering if Apple will add Touch ID support to the button, or if future versions of Camera Control will support it.
Use the Camera Control button to take a photo.
Use the Camera Control button to take a photo.
For many, integrating Touch ID into Camera Control may be overkill, as Face ID is too simple to authenticate unlocking the iPhone 16 while using the camera or Visual Intelligence. But more or less, this will be news worth waiting for Touch ID fans.
