iPhone 16 Pro hands-on: Small button, big change

Are we just gluttons for buttons? The iPhone 16 Pro's most distinguishing new feature, at least so far, is its Camera Control button. It feels surprisingly like a real two-stage button, even though it uses haptics to fake a lot of movement.

NOTE: Cherlynn referred to the chip inside the iPhone 16 Pro as the A18 Bionic; Apple dropped that branding this year in favor of 'A18 Pro', but old habits die hard.

[akshaymarewar]

I don't know how do you see big changes in there. Its the same exact thing as last year. They just added the button but the underlying functionality remains the same.

[criticalkids]

“The big difference for the iPhone 16 series is a new button” Woah.. just like the 15 series 😅

[EricLS]

All the comments hating on the button: Tell me you have never used a higher end camera without telling me.
EVERY even *slightly* higher end camera for all of time has these controls. This button is a clever way to add a bunch of that functionality into a smartphone form factor. Anyone who knows how much better this kind of control can be is ecstatic at this change.

[IKING]

The fact that this company can literally make small tweaks and get a pass for it every year from this site and others while these same sites bash the other phone makers for doing the EXACT same thing is incredible to me. All credit to apple for pulling this off year after year. They added a button shrunk the bezel added AI which wont even be available at launch and they have these folks acting like its 2007 again.

[chriswbrashear]

This is a real button, it's clearly moving up and down in the apple-provided see-thru footage and more careful observers would feel it actually moving. It does have haptic feedback but it also physically depresses. Maybe issue a correction?

[magic_fruit_bat]

Still rock’n the iPhone XS Max & Series 4 Apple Watch. Waiting on iPhone 17 Pro Max & Apple Ultra watch 3 next year.

[Don-]

We need a matte jet black back that was on iPhone 7

[alecbalsley]

Tweak the sensitivity? Oh that’s good news. I might be the only person who hates this new button. I see it being fun for a little while but a nuisance in the long run and something I’d ultimately want to disable.

[Fensterchef]

I'm a bit worried that when I hold the iPhone (I always hold it with my right hand) I might accidentally hit the new button and open the camera. Have you had any experience of this happening?

[arifrahman]

Listen. How will this benefit a daily consumer? For most of us, we will still use the on screen shutter for point and shoot. 😂

[sfneurosurgeon]

A little underwhelmed by the 16. I’m still using an 8 Plus because it does everything I need.

[daledevernon]

The base model 16 iPhones seem to be more capable than ever and for the majority of people that's the one to get.

[voldosmith]

The fact that all “innovation” goes towards photo and videos quality speaks volumes about today society…

[BrelieLtd]

Like the look of this buttons feature 😮

[wakecoalition]

I just got my phone gear for outdoor shooting, wireless mic. Phone stand. One thing that really suck is having to use the onscreen camera touch control. Physical camera control button is must for me. However, iphone 16 should have use a wheel for select options. This tiny button to move around camera options will be a royal pain to use. LOL.
MY PHONE IS STILL S23 ULTRA. it's not perfect. But the S PEN IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR ME. THE ONE I'LL GO FOR IS THE PRO MAX. BUT IT'S OUT OF MY BUDGET RIGHT NOW. LOL

[askay]

Only those from iPhone 3G should upgrade, 3G S holders will be good until iPhone 20.

[nateshf]

why can't Apple just make all the buttons programmable so that any of the buttons could be a shutter? Now that would be innovative.

[anmolagrawal]

A18 update is welcome. But seriously, 60Hz display on the standard iPhone in 2024 (heading into 2025) is bonkers.
Legit <$150 phones now come with high refresh rate displays.

I understand keeping the pro chip aside, there's got to be some distinction there within the lineup, justified, but this is way too basic and visually noticeable by ANY person out there regardless of technical requirements / know who.

That is the one thing which'd make me lean towards the Pro if I ever went to buy an iPhone but it doesn't feel in good taste.

[kosongsatu]

Revolutioner off apple " New button swipe :

[brivnii]

Both pros has bigger screens. Which is dope cuz i go for the smoker one every time