What’s That Thing on the Right Side of the iPhone 16?

The entire iPhone 16 lineup (iPhone 16, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max) features ‘Camera Control,’ a new hardware element on the right side of each model. Apple explains that the Camera Control button is a tactile switch with a high-precision force sensor underneath. In other words, it acts as a button that you press/click, but it’s also used for touch interactions, like so:

Right now, the Camera Control button is used to launch the Camera app quickly, take a photo, and start a recording. By dragging your finger, you can adjust various control options, such as zoom, exposure, and depth of field. In addition, third-party developers have access to the button, so we expect apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, and more to support it soon.

Next year, you can expect additional features from Camera Control. Apple plans to bring camera-focused AI features, so you can use the button to pull up a restaurant’s hours and ratings, add an event to your calendar from a physical flyer, or check a dog’s breed, for example. It will also serve as a “gateway into third-party tools,” allowing you to search on Google or use ChatGPT.

There’s plenty more to know about what's new on the iPhone 16 lineup, so head over to our central overview to learn more. Thanks for reading!