iPhone 16: Tiny tweaks, big impact – or just button overload?

Aside from the rearranged rear camera island, which gives me some serious nostalgia vibes – think back to the beloved (at least by me) iPhone X – the upcoming iPhone 16 is shaping up to be a solid choice for Apple fans looking to upgrade for a bunch of other reasons, too.

First, it is rumored to get the A18 chipset, which means all the iPhone 16 models will run Apple Intelligence. On the current series, that feature will only work with the iPhone 15 Pro versions. Second, the non-Pro versions of the iPhone 16 might add the Action button, which was already on the higher-end versions of last year’s model.

Third, the screen size of the standard iPhone models is expected to stay the same, unlike the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, which are rumored to get larger displays this year. This could be a big win for users who aren't interested in even bigger screens. If Apple isn’t bringing the mini model back, this is the least it can do for those who prefer smaller screens. With the trend of ever-growing displays, who knows – maybe the standard model will be marketed as a “mini” in the future!

And fourth, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are rumored to get the new Capture button, too, meaning it won’t be exclusive to the Pro models.

So, not bad if you ask me. While there aren’t huge updates, these changes do help narrow the gap between the non-Pro and Pro versions, which could lead to even better sales for the iPhone 16. Of course, we’ll need to see what the price will be first.

Are five buttons too many?

Okay, since I mentioned buttons just above, it is time to discuss my first thought: how many buttons are too many buttons? Last year, the tech giant introduced the Action button, replacing the Silent Switch. I don’t know about you, but I love the Silent Switch on my iPhone 13 mini, and I would definitely miss it when it is time for me to upgrade.

So, now, we will have the Action button on all four iPhone 16 models, along with an extra Capture button, so the iPhone 16 series is expected to have five buttons overall. I know you might think, “Okay, one more button – what’s the big deal?” But for many users, that could mean one more button they could accidentally press and one more bump on the side of an otherwise sleek phone. The five buttons are expected to be:

• Side Button: Used to turn off your iPhone and to lock it.
• Volume Buttons: Probably no need to explain what they do, but with the volume up/down buttons, you can adjust the volume when listening to music, watching videos, or playing games. When not using other apps, these buttons will adjust the ringer volume.
• Action Button: You can customize this button to do what you want, like opening the Camera app or turning on the flashlight. By default, it toggles Silent mode on or off.
• Rumored Capture Button: Positioned on the right side, where the mmWave 5G antenna is currently located in the US. The Capture button might combine a mechanical design with a capacitive surface. It is expected to work like a DSLR camera button, allowing a slight press to trigger autofocus while a harder press takes the picture. You might also be able to swipe along the button to zoom in and out.

In our recent poll on “What iPhone 16 update are you most excited about?” the Capture button comes in second place, so I guess a lot of people are excited about it. And yeah, for good reason – it would be pretty convenient for video capturing and photography. I just hope this is the last button Apple adds to the iPhone. What do you think? Will the Capture button be a handy new option, or are five buttons already too many?