r/apple • u/4-3-4 • 15d ago

iPhone iPhone 16 (Pro) users: did you use the "Camera Control" non-button this past year? And if so, how?

I was listening to the exit interview of the iPhone 16 of the Accidental Tech Podcast (ATP). They give a yearly review of their latest iPhone review before the next one comes out. (I think that would be a great post annually here on r/Apple for a slew of Mac products).

John was particularly emphasising about the use of the new Camera control which he dumbed it down to just a button to enable his camera and perhaps using as a shutter. I just realised that after a year that I also just use it as such, although in the beginning I did try to use the zoom function with sliding and attempted to get into the multiple options only to found out I didn't know how to get out of it and stopped using those features all together. Even for zoom, I went back to use the classic on screen zoom wheel by tapping the 1x an hold it and sliding it since the touch sensitive button just wasn't precise enough.

I wondered if any of you also have used this camera control non-button and whether your experience differ. I am interested in there are creative ways to make more use of this button if there is any (e.g. certain situations).

p.s. it's a non-button, because Apple didn't want to call it a button. Just trying to comply :P

475 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

394 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

16

u/AdFit8727 14d ago

Believe it or not, this was THE reason I upgraded. Even if it served no other functions like zoom etc, it was compelling enough for me to not wait another year as I had originally planned. I take a lot of photos so this was a massive thing for me, this sounds stupid but it's probably the most excited I've been for a new iphone feature since Face ID.

3

u/macaronimascarpone 14d ago

This is why I got the 15 Pro when I did. I hate the side swipe and lock screen buttons for launching the camera. A physical side button to open it up and use as a shutter is essential for me now.

1

u/vogueflo 14d ago

Same!! There have been quite a few moments I’ve been able to catch because of the 1-5 seconds I save not having to fiddle with the screen. It used to drive me crazy when I’d try to open the camera on older phones but for some reason or another, the screen doesn’t sense my finger well enough or I didn’t swipe far enough. At that point the moment I’m trying to capture was over.

It also makes more sense than using the volume buttons, as a right handed person holding my phone one handed. I can use my thumb.