What is the iPhone 16 Camera Control Button?

One of the most intriguing new features on the new Apple iPhone 16 devices is the Camera Control button. This touch sensitive button is located on the right side of the phone, and it allows you to do all manner of camera app adjustments with a swipe or a tap. Some of the things you can do with the Camera Control button include: 

• Launching the camera
• Taking a photo
• Starting a video recording
• Adjusting zoom, exposure, or depth of field

The Camera Control button can also be used to take advantage of Visual Intelligence features (available next year) that allow you to identify things, look up ratings, or add events. Plus, the button is third-party friendly, so apps like Snapchat and platforms like ChatGPT will be adding their own functionality to the camera button as well. 

In this article, we’ll explain Apple’s new camera button in detail, and why it’s one of the coolest new iPhone features in years. 

What is the iPhone 16 Camera Control Button?

Apple’s new Camera Control button, available on all new iPhone 16 models (including the iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max), is a tactile, touch sensitive feature on the side of the device that allows you to take pictures, shoot videos, frame shots, and make picture adjustments on the fly. It also features haptic feedback, like vibrations, that let you know it’s working. The new design feature was unveiled during the recent Apple Event (branded “It’s Glowtime”). 

iPhone 16 Camera Control Button Commands

Here are some of the commands you can access with the camera button, and how to do them: 

• Initiate the camera: Click the Camera Control button
• Snap a photo: Press the Camera Control again
• Shoot video: Press and hold the Camera Control button
• Launch camera controls: Lightly touch the Camera Control button
• Frame the photo: Once you’re in the camera control menu, just swipe to adjust the zoom, exposure, and more

iPhone 16 Camera Control Button and AI

As mentioned, the Camera Control button offers AI features along with basic photo-taking shortcuts. Apple has branded these tools Visual Intelligence, and they will allow you to identify and learn about things around you, whether that’s getting information on a dog breed or looking up an event you see on a flyer. Visual Intelligence clearly has a lot in common with Google Lens, which injects similar functionality into Google Pixel cameras. 

Since these features haven’t been officially launched yet (Apple says they’re coming to the iPhone via iOS 18 next year), there’s some ambiguity around them. That said, Apple has teased the following Apple Intelligence features that can be accessed via the Camera Control button: 

• Look up reviews of things you see, including restaurants
• Identify things you see, whether that’s a bike, a car, a watch, or anything else
• Identify events you see, and instantly add them to your calendar
• Make AI-assisted adjustments to your photos on the fly

What about the iPhone 16 Action Button?

In addition to the new Camera Control button, all four iPhone 16 models have been fitted with an Action Button. This isn’t a brand new feature, as it first appeared on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

Like the iPhone 16’s Camera Control button, the Action Button is designed to take advantage of a host of new Apple Intelligence features. However, it also allows for more mundane shortcuts, including: 

• Turning on Do Not Disturb
• Turning on the Flashlight
• Quickly initiating audio recording

Part of what makes the Action button interesting is that it can be customized according to your own preferences, including app shortcuts. 

The Bottom Line

On its surface, the new iPhone 16 series doesn’t seem to mark a radical departure from the iPhone 15 series, offering similar overall technical specs. However, a closer look reveals some important design upgrades, not the least of which is the Camera Control button. Not only does this new button allow users to quickly access basic camera controls, but it enables a host of new AI and third-party app features as well. It is undoubtedly one of the biggest selling points of the iPhone 16. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the iPhone 16 have a camera button?

Yes, the iPhone 16 has a camera button located on the side of the device. This is a brand new design feature, and isn’t built into the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or iPhone 15 Pro. 

Where is the iPhone camera control button?

The new iPhone 16 Camera Control button is located on the right side of the device. It allows you to access a number of camera shortcuts, including launching the camera, shooting video, and framing and adjusting your shots. 

What is camera control on iPhone 16?

The Camera Control button, available on the new iPhone 16 models and iPhone 16 Pro models (including the iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max), is a tactile, touch sensitive feature on the side of the device that allows you to take pictures, shoot videos, frame shots, and make picture adjustments on the fly. It features haptic feedback (like vibrations) that let you know it’s working.