iPhone 16 Pro dedicated camera button detailed in new report — here’s how it works

Apple iPhone 15 review.
(Image credit: Future)

When the iPhone 16 makes its expected debut in September, we should see a new button on the iPhone Pro 16 models meant to act as a dedicated camera button. 

The new shutter button should function like the button found on DSLR cameras, which was spotted in a new leak reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. Apple doesn't normally add buttons to the iPhone; if anything, the Cupertino company seems determined to remove buttons. 

However, that trend has started to shift as the action button was added to the iPhone 15 Pro last year. As of right now, the Action button is configurable, and it can be set to open up the Camera app and then be used as a shutter button. Of course, the volume button has always been available to take a picture.

The new button will work based on how heavily you press it. A little press will trigger autofocus, while a harder one will snap the picture. The report says you can swipe the button to zoom in and out while shooting photos and videos.

Gurman reports that the less expensive versions of the iPhone 16 will get the action button from the iPhone 15 Pro. Still, it's unclear from his report or other leaks if this dedicated camera button will also feature on other iPhone 16 models. The control center will become more customizable, and the Lock Screen will get new options in iOS 18, which Gurman says "may make the Action button less of an asset."

Surprisingly, outside of this potential dedicated shutter button, not much has leaked out about any changes to the cameras of the iPhone 16 Pro. Supposedly, the tetraprism telephoto lens from the iPhone 15 Pro Max will appear on both Pro models.

Potentially, the iPhone 16 Pro might get an upgraded ultrawide lens from the current 12 megapixels to 48 MP, but that's it so far. 

We'll know more in September, so follow along with Tom's Guide for all the latest iPhone 16 news.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. 

Read more
iPhone 16 Pro camera close up
Forget iPhone 17 Pro — iPhone 18 Pro just tipped to get this huge camera upgrade
A render of the iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max just tipped for major camera upgrades — here's what we know
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
iPhone 17 tipped for long overdue camera upgrade — what you need to know
iPhone 16 Pro Max shown in hand
iPhone 18 Pro could feature these big rumored Apple camera upgrades
Iphone 17 pro max render next to iPhone 16 Pro Max being held in hand
iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro: 5 biggest expected upgrades
iPhone 17 Air render
New iPhone 17 Air video shows off alleged design from every angle
Latest in iPhones
An image of an iPhone screen showing the Safari app icon in the center
I got tired of Safari revealing my web searches in iOS 18.4 — this setting fixes that
iPhone Flip Concept
iPhone Flip should have been released years ago — it's time Apple started taking risks again
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Render of the alleged design of the iPhone 17 Pro
New iPhone 17 Pro dummy leak highlights redesigned camera and part glass body
Siri in iOS 18 on iPhone
Users complain that Siri can’t answer even the most basic questions — here’s what we know
iPhone 16 next to samsung galaxy watch 7 and bose wireless earbuds on a composite image
Apple's walled garden is crumbling — EU orders iOS to open up to third-party devices
Latest in News
Apple Watch Series 10
Future Apple Watch models could get a surprising new feature — what we know
iPhone 16 Pro vs iPhone 16 Pro Max in hand showing displays
Forget iPhone 17 — iPhone 18 could get this huge upgrade
The new Husqvarna iQ series robot lawn mower.
Husqvarna’s new robot mowers offer GPS for less
Rendered images of rumored foldable iPhone.
Foldable iPhone report just revealed key details — here's what we know
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Sunday, March 23 (#651)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #385 (Sunday, March 23 2025)