Apple introduced the Camera Control button with the iPhone 16 series, giving users a physical shutter-like experience. While the feature will remain on the iPhone 17 lineup, recent reports suggest that Apple may eliminate it starting with the iPhone 18.
There are two main reasons behind this decision: limited user adoption and the company’s desire to reduce production costs. Although the button was designed to offer quick access to the camera and advanced adjustments like zoom, depth, and exposure, most users still prefer the traditional on-screen controls.
Apple marketed the Camera Control button as a professional-grade shutter alternative, but it never gained the popularity of the Action Button introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro. Some users appreciated the feature, while others found it unnecessary or poorly placed.
Given Apple’s history of removing features such as 3D Touch after a few generations, the removal of the Camera Control button from the iPhone 18 series would not be unprecedented. It reflects Apple’s strategy of aligning hardware design with actual user habits.