Will Apple Remove This Feature on the iPhone 18?

Login to Continue Learning

[Ad_1]
Apple introduced camera control capability with the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max in 2024, aiming to mimic traditional camera controls. Beyond just capturing images, this feature was intended to enhance overall photography experiences. Given that Apple’s flagship phones have long been marketed as top cameras for both everyday users and professionals, the physical button added hardware precision. Despite initial enthusiasm from professional photographers, speculation suggests that Apple may phase out the Camera Control button with the iPhone 18.

**Apple Could Retire the Camera Control Button on iPhone 18 Amid Rumors of Low Usage and Cost Concerns**

According to a new report from a Weibo tipster, Apple might be preparing to retire this feature. The source claims that the tech giant has stopped ordering the component due to two main reasons: lack of widespread user engagement and cost concerns. While professional photographers welcomed the added precision and customizability, average users were less enthusiastic.

If most users showed little interest in using the camera control button, justifying its production for mass-market devices might not be worthwhile. This could align with Apple’s industry-wide approach to feature relatability for mainstream audiences rather than catering solely to niche markets. If Apple discontinues this feature, it would follow a similar pattern as when it phased out 3D Touch due to lack of traction.

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

Instead, Apple is likely to focus more on software-driven advancements, particularly AI-powered features such as automatic scene detection and low-light processing. These tools offer greater value to a wider user base without needing a dedicated physical button. While these rumors should be taken with caution until official confirmation, any move could disappoint professional users if it reduces their capabilities.

Apple’s stance on the iPhone’s evolution is clear: features that do not resonate with the masses need to go.