The iPhone 16 (Plus) and iPhone 16 Pro (Max) feature a dedicated Camera Control button for the first time. Located on the right side of the device, below the side button, this camera control is a useful aid when taking photos.
This is a pressure-sensitive button that can even be operated with swipe gestures. The smart button can be used while taking photos and videos and gives you direct access to the camera application.
Camera Control for iPhone
The iPhone 16 (Pro) features a brand new and pressure-sensitive camera controller, Camera Control in English. This smart button can be used while taking photos and videos. And you get faster access to camera tools. Drag your finger to adjust exposure or depth of field, for example. And scroll through the different lenses or use digital zoom to get everything in the frame the way you want.
Pressure sensitive button
The camera control is a fine piece of engineering. The sapphire crystal on the surface has a smooth texture and is surrounded by a matching stainless steel rim. The high-precision pressure sensor with tactile feedback makes it feel like you are using the shutter button of a SLR camera. And the new, unique touch sensor recognizes touches such as clicking and dragging so you can quickly access all kinds of camera functions.
Terms and Location
The camera rocker is found on the right side of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The oblong button is placed on the side below the side button and can be used while using the camera app as well as third-party apps that use the camera.
Using the camera control button
The camera controller for iPhone is pressure sensitive and can even be used with swipe gestures. Once the camera application is open, you can perform the following actions with the new button.
- Press once: Camera app (third-party) will open.
- Press and hold: Start video recording in the Camera app.
- Single press in Camera app: take a picture.
- Press gently: Control panel to adjust elements such as zoom and depth using swipe gestures.
- Press twice gently: Camera menu opens, swipe to select other item.
- Sweep: Instantly browse through available camera options.
If the camera app is not open, the button also ensures that you can open the Camera app from any situation, so you can capture all your favorite moments immediately. To do this, press the camera control and the application will open immediately.
Later this year, you’ll be able to use a two-step shutter on the camera’s dial. Automatically lock focus and exposure with a gentle press. This lets you recompose your shot without losing focus on your subject.
Visual Intelligence
Later this year, the Camera Control will also unlock Visual Intelligence, a feature of Apple Intelligence that helps users get information about objects and places faster than ever. Users can hold Camera Control and point the camera at an object to get hours or reviews for a restaurant they’re passing, add an event from a flyer to their calendar, quickly identify a dog by breed, and more.
Camera Control will also serve as a gateway to third-party tools with specific domain expertise, such as when users want to search Google to find where to buy an item, or to take advantage of ChatGPT’s problem-solving skills. Users will have control over when third-party tools are used and what information is shared.
This all sounds incredibly useful, but unfortunately not yet available in the EU. The possibilities of Apple Intelligence are great, but for the time being only available to users in the United States. AI will first be available in English (US) and later this year in other English-language variants. Next year, Apple Intelligence will be available in French, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese, among others.
Users can change the language of their device to use AI, but due to European legislation, Apple has blocked this for the EU. This means that you cannot use AI in the Netherlands and Belgium for the time being.
Cut-out in covers
Because it is a pressure-sensitive button that you can also operate with swipe movements, it is necessary to use a case with a cutout. This gives you full access to the possibilities of this new button. If it is covered, you cannot use it fully.