The iPhone 16 is expected to introduce a new touch button that mirrors the shutter release found on professional cameras. Reports cited by MacRumors reference a Chinese insider known as Instant Digital, who shared details about this feature via Weibo.
According to Instant Digital, the primary role of the new button is to enable photo or video capture. It will simulate a two-stage press through tactile feedback. A light press would permit focus adjustments, while a firmer press would trigger the shutter, delivering a shot. This design mirrors the behavior of many DSLR and mirrorless cameras, where half-press locks focus or exposure and full press captures the image, MacRumors notes.
The insider adds that incorporating a shutter-style button brings the iPhone closer to a traditional camera layout, a trend that seems to be resurfacing in the smartphone market alongside gains in Android devices offering advanced manual controls.
Projections indicate the touch button will be included across the entire iPhone 16 lineup. Apple released the new smartphones in the fall of 2024, introducing several hardware and software refinements that emphasize photography capabilities and user control.
Recent discussions around device features include improvements in user experience, such as streamlined password management options and accessibility updates across Apple platforms, reflecting Apple’s broader push toward integrated, user-friendly security and convenience.