Apple touted the iPhone 16’s Camera Control as an innovative feature, but the truth is, they tend to make the same claim about every new feature.
We’ve noticed that reviewers and major publications have praised this feature so highly that we began to question what made them so impressed.
In reality, the Camera Control on the iPhone 16 series attempts to solve a problem that never truly existed. In fact, it complicates things and makes the experience worse. Here’s why.
Inconvenient in Portrait Orientation
There are many situations where we take photos of people, pets, or objects in portrait orientation. However, when using the Camera Control in this mode, the experience becomes incredibly inconvenient.
In portrait orientation, our thumb naturally rests around the middle of the iPhone. But, because the Camera Control is positioned below this area, users are forced to awkwardly stretch their thumb down to access it. This design choice not only disrupts the natural flow of taking a photo but also makes the entire process more cumbersome and uncomfortable.
For a feature meant to enhance usability, it actually detracts from the overall experience, particularly for users who frequently shoot in portrait mode.
Gestures Are Difficult to Master
Even in landscape orientation, adjusting settings using the Camera Control is inconvenient and difficult to adapt to. For example, the process involves:
- First, lightly press or half-press the Camera Control twice to bring up an overlay that displays the available settings for the current camera mode.
- Then, you have to slide your finger on the Camera Control to scroll through the options and lightly press again to select the desired setting.
- Once selected, you slide your finger on the Camera Control once more to adjust the setting. The setting is saved and will appear the next time you press the Camera Control.
- Finally, you click the Camera Control to capture your shot.
This entire sequence is unnecessarily complex and hard to get accustomed to, especially considering that all of these adjustments can be made more easily using the on-screen controls.
The extra steps and reliance on unfamiliar gestures detract from the intuitive experience Apple is known for, making the Camera Control feel more like a hindrance than a helpful tool.
Check the iPhone 16 full specifications and features.
Takes Blurry Selfies
We often take selfies with one hand, but using the Camera Control feature can lead to blurry results.
When attempting to capture a selfie with one hand, you already have to stretch your thumb down, which makes the process inconvenient. To take the photo, you then need to fully press the Camera Control button, which causes the phone to shake slightly.
No matter how steady you try to hold the device, there will inevitably be some movement. This minor shake can result in blurry selfies.
While the software makes efforts to reduce blur, the difference becomes evident when you compare images taken with the Camera Control button to those captured using the on-screen controls. The latter generally yields sharper, clearer selfies, highlighting the shortcomings of the Camera Control feature in providing a smooth and reliable photography experience.
Prone to Accidental Presses
When removing the phone from your pocket, it’s too easy to unintentionally press the Camera Control button, leading to the camera app launching unexpectedly.
While this may not happen every time, it does occur frequently enough to be a nuisance.
Additionally, when the phone is placed on the left side of your desk and you pick it up with your left hand, your thumb naturally rests on the Camera Control, often triggering the camera app once again.
To mitigate this issue, you can adjust the number of clicks required to open the camera using the Camera Control.
Simply navigate to Settings > Camera > Camera Control and select either Single Click or Double Click.
It’s also worth noting that the capacitive button is flush with the phone’s frame, making it difficult to identify its location without looking.
Don’t forget to check the issues and problems with the Google Pixel 9.
Only Offers a Different Approach to the Same Tasks
Does the Camera Control on the iPhone 16 series offer any unique functionality that couldn’t be achieved with the on-screen controls?
The answer is no. The Camera Control performs the same tasks that users could already accomplish with the on-screen controls. In essence, it introduces an alternative method for executing familiar functions.
However, this alternative approach has more drawbacks.
The Camera Control complicates the user experience, making tasks more inconvenient and challenging to master. Ultimately, it fails to provide any meaningful enhancements, leaving users to question its necessity.
Overcomplicates User Experience
You can easily access the camera from the lock screen using the Camera Control button, but there’s also a camera icon available on the lock screen that launches the camera just as quickly.
To zoom in and out, you can simply swipe through the different zoom lens buttons on the screen, which is a one-tap process. In contrast, using the Camera Control to achieve the same effect requires three steps.
All the functions that can be performed effortlessly with on-screen controls demand extra steps when executed through the Camera Control buttons. Moreover, these additional steps can often feel unnecessarily complicated.
Therefore, it’s fair to say that the Camera Control not only requires more steps to perform the same tasks but also adds complexity without a clear benefit.
Don’t forget to check the best features of iOS 18.
Conclusion
When using the Camera Control button, it hides all on-screen controls, creating a cleaner interface. Additionally, pressing and holding this button initiates video recording, which ends once you release it.
These are the only scenarios where we find the Camera Control somewhat useful. However, such situations are rare, making this extra button feel more like a superfluous addition rather than an essential feature.
While future updates powered by Apple’s intelligence may enhance its utility, in its current state, the Camera Control appears to be an unnecessary feature that doesn’t significantly improve the user experience.
What are your thoughts on the iPhone 16 Camera Control? Do you believe this feature is as innovative as Apple claimed during the launch event? Do you think it was truly a necessary addition? We would love to hear your opinions.
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