Recent tech reports indicate that Apple is planning a radical change in the button design of iPhones starting in the second half of 2027, where the Action Button is expected to be merged with the Camera Control button into a single multi-functional button.
Proposed mechanism of action
According to the leaks, a pressing pattern will be relied upon to distinguish between functions; a single press on the integrated button will open the camera app, while a long press will activate the custom function previously performed by the Action Button, such as activating silent mode or running shortcuts.
Why this change matters
This trend comes amid mixed feedback regarding the Camera Control button that first appeared in the iPhone 16 series, where some users criticized the complexity of its use and its causing of unintended accidental presses. By merging the two buttons, Apple seeks to achieve several goals:
- Simplifying the design: Reducing the number of physical buttons on the phone body.
- Improving manufacturing: Simplifying the production process and reducing costs by decreasing physical components.
- Reducing confusion: Avoiding confusion between the Action Button and the adjacent volume control buttons.
Technical context
It is worth noting that Apple has already integrated the "Visual Intelligence" feature directly inside the camera app in iOS 27, giving the company greater flexibility in reassigning button gestures without losing access to core features. Also, the absence of the Action Button in the "iPhone Duo" models reinforces the hypothesis that Apple is testing alternative button designs in its future devices.
Although this information is based on leaks from unofficial sources, it aligns with Apple's ongoing strategy of rethinking the physical interaction interfaces with its devices, and the picture is expected to become clearer as the launch date of the iPhone models approaches in the fall of 2027.