The most important feature of the iPhone 16 is probably its camera.

But a real, purpose designed camera is still easier to use.

Press to take a photo, and long press to capture a video.

Hands holding the iPhone 16 while one finger works the camera control button on the side.

No more fiddling around to tap the shutter button on the screen.Apple

Thats already enough to make the camera way faster to access, but its just the beginning.

The button is, in typical Apple style, absurdly over-engineered.

The button will also be available for third-party camera apps to use for whatever the developer can imagine.

iPhone 16 buttons

There it is, recessed into the frame.Apple

Even odder is that Apple only added this button when AI came on the scene.

Apple could have added a hardware camera button at any time in the iPhones history.

This new button looks like a huge bet from Apple that AI is the future of computing.

iPhone 16 camera app and hands

Just like a real camera.Apple

So, maybe it’s just that Apples War on Buttons is officially over.

Person taking a photo of a dog while the dog’s human watches.

Just ask her!.Apple