The iPhone 16 is reportedly getting a new capture button, a dedicated feature that lets you take photos and videos more conveniently, according to The Information.
As The Verge pointed out, this rumor aligns with scuttlebutt from MacRumors, which claims the new camera-focused button will be located on the same side as the power button, but placed slightly lower on the device’s edge.
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
3 things the ‘capture button’ can do
As mentioned, the capture button will reportedly be positioned on the lower-right edge of the iPhone 16. As such, if you were to turn the device to landscape mode, it should conveniently sit under your index finger, making it easy to snap photos and capture videos.
What can it do? Here are three features the new capture button may offer:
1. Pressure sensitivity
MacRumors claims that the capture button won’t be a traditional, mechanical one. It will, instead, be capacitive. In other words, it won’t operate like a typical button that succumbs to pressure and hits an actuation point before running a function.
It will reportedly detect your touch and provide haptic feedback, similar to the Home Button on the iPhone SE series.
The Information disagrees, adding that the new capture button has both capabilities. It’s a button that can be pushed, but it responds to touch gestures, too, like swiping left and right.
2. Zoom in and out
Using swiping gestures on the capture button reportedly lets you take close-up shots for photos and lets you zoom in while shooting videos.
3. Bring images into focus
If the user presses lightly on the capture button, it supposedly bring subjects into focus on the viewfinder. By pressing more firmly, however, users can activate the shutter button.
Final thoughts
iPhone 15 Pro models made a splash with a well-received new action button that lets users customize and program the button with apps and tasks that make their lives more seamless and efficient.
The action button is now expected to be featured on all iPhone 16 models. In the same way that the action button was limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, I expect the rumored new capture button to be featured on only the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
