The iPhone 16's new camera button is the feature I'm most excited about. Here's how it works

Apple’s annual September keynote always debuts the next best iPhone model, and this year, we can expect the iPhone 16 series during the Monday, September 9 event. Along with the usual upgrades to the cameras, processor, and color palette, Apple is also rumored to include a dedicated camera button on the phones to make taking photos and videos easier. 

Also: What to expect from Apple’s iPhone 16 ‘It’s Glowtime’ event, and how to watch the livestream

According to Bloomberg, the camera button will work similarly to a shutter button you’d normally see on a DSLR camera. You’ll be able to press down on the button lightly to focus the camera on subjects better, and then a harder press takes the actual picture. The touch-sensitive button will supposedly also allow you to choose between photo and video shooting modes, as well as zoom in and out of a subject. Again, this is much like a zoom dial on a traditional camera. 

For older generations that grew up using disposable or digital cameras, this could be a welcome addition to smartphone devices to make it easier to get the perfect picture while also making it more accessible for people with mobility issues. 

It’s unclear whether this camera button will appear on all iPhone 16 models. Still, based on Apple’s past focus on putting more advanced camera features on its Pro models, we can most likely expect the button to be featured on the iPhone 16 Pro.

Also: These 3 rumored iPhone 16 features should have you excited to upgrade

The iPhone 16 Pro’s new camera features are said to include a 5x optical zoom on the smaller Pro’s telephoto lens compared to the iPhone 15 Pro’s 3x optical zoom. An upgraded ultrawide sensor is also expected this year.

While a separate camera button would undoubtedly be a unique upgrade to the iPhone 16, you can already use buttons on your iPhone to take a photo. The volume buttons on the iPhone allow you to take a photo by pressing either one once or take many photos via shutter mode by pressing and holding down either one.