The camera control of the iPhone 16 is entertaining, although there is room for improvement.
The new hardware feature for the entire iPhone 16 lineup this year is Camera Control. While it's an interesting idea, its implementation could have been better.
As the year comes to an end, the flagship smartphone releases of 2024, including Apple’s iPhone 16, are already part of the past. As an iPhone user for over ten years, I found the unveiling of the iPhone 16 exciting, especially since Apple offered a very appealing color palette for the base model after a long time. Additionally, the base models include several features that were previously exclusive to the Pro models, such as the Action button, a significant power jump with the A18, and the new Camera Control button, which is present in all iPhone 16 variants.
The Camera Control is one of the features I was most excited about in the iPhone 16 series, and I am still pleased that it was included. However, there are aspects that I believe Apple could improve upon, at least in its current state.
Firstly, the placement of the button is somewhat awkward. Last year, the Action button replaced the old silent/ring switch, and this time, Apple introduced the Camera Control, a completely new button that does not replace any previous function. Currently, on the iPhone 16/Plus/Pro/Max, the Camera Control is aligned with the right side of the frame in the lower half, just above the center. After using it, I don’t love its placement, as I have accidentally pressed the button when picking up my phone from a surface, which is frustrating because it can unintentionally unlock the device.
Another issue I’ve noticed is that the current placement is not very ergonomic for taking photos in landscape orientation. When I try to use it, my fingers block the screen, and I have to adjust how I hold the phone to access the button. For portrait shots, the position is more suitable, especially if I am right-handed, making it easier to take selfies. However, the effort needed to press it is considerable.
Previously, there were two options for taking photos: using the shutter button on the screen or the volume button. I never used the volume button; I always opted for the on-screen option. However, since the arrival of the Camera Control, I felt motivated to use it as a shutter. I soon became disappointed when I realized how much pressure is needed to activate it, which can cause slight movement and blurriness in images, especially in low-light conditions.
The Camera Control button opens the camera app with a touch, taking a photo on the second touch. Holding it down starts recording, while short taps allow navigation through various settings. I noticed that the button's sensitivity is too high, complicating its use and potentially resulting in blurry or out-of-focus images. Although I reduced the sensitivity a bit, I still experienced some movement, especially when trying to use it one-handed.
The Camera Control was one of the most anticipated features, but my disappointment lingers. Does it resemble the Touch Bar of MacBooks, but for the iPhone? Don't get me wrong; I enjoy using it, especially for quickly opening the camera app. During the presentation, it seemed that Apple intended the Camera Control to be used primarily for Visual Intelligence, which could be a good use for such a feature. However, since the iPhone 16 was released without Apple’s Intelligence features, the outcome feels somewhat mismatched.
I hope that in the coming years, Apple considers improving the position of the Camera Control to make it easier to use, perhaps placing it closer to the base of the device. Maybe implementing a haptic touch to activate it would help mitigate the movement issues during capture. There is a lot of potential in this feature, and I would like to see improvements rather than have it ignored like the Touch Bar.
