Two months have passed since the iPhone 16’s launch.
Initially, we thought Apple Intelligence would be the biggest highlight of this iPhone generation. However, with AI implementation still far off and various workaround attempts, enthusiasm has waned.
That’s when I realized the real star of the iPhone 16 is still that camera control button.
Don’t misunderstand – I’m not saying it’s particularly good, but protecting this small component has caused quite a stir.
One Button, Complex Integration
Just like how most people put covers on their TV remotes, many users’ first action with a new phone is to get a case and screen protector.
However, on the iPhone 16, this button has created significant challenges for case manufacturers.
Let’s review what the camera control button is: it consists of a sapphire glass panel, a pressure sensor, and a mechanical structure, supporting sliding, pressing, and clicking operations.
We can divide this button’s interaction system into two structures: one uses a mechanical structure for click activation, while the other uses capacitive sensing and pressure sensors like those on the screen for touch and press activation.
The mechanical structure is straightforward – from power buttons to volume buttons, all use this basic interaction method. Whether through hole design, silicone covering, or metal-silicone combinations for metallic feel, the market already has mature solutions.
But capacitive and pressure sensing is clearly something new.
Capacitive touch works by detecting touch location through human body conductivity, using a transparent conductive material (usually indium tin oxide) on the surface to create a stable electric field.
When your finger touches the surface, your body absorbs some current, changing the capacitance at that point. Internal sensors quickly detect this change and send it to the processing chip, which calculates the exact touch coordinates.
In other words, to use this button effectively through a phone case, meeting traditional mechanical requirements isn’t enough – there must also be a medium that can conduct finger bioelectric signals.
Where there’s demand, there’s a market, but this time, businesses looking to profit have their work cut out for them.
[The article continues with detailed sections about various case solutions and market responses…]
Multiple Demands, Imperfect Solutions
Current market solutions broadly fall into four categories:
- Full coverage cases that completely block the button, treating it as non-existent
- Cases that abandon the button’s half-press and touch functions, keeping only mechanical clicking
- Cases with button cutouts, often sold with button protector films
- New developments in capacitive cases, attempting to solve impression issues through softened metal or silicone wrapping
While these solutions each have their followers, full coverage is only a temporary fix, particularly given the upcoming AI features. According to ifanr’s testing of Apple Intelligence, visual AI features are only accessible through this troublesome camera control button – choosing full coverage means giving up these functions.
As philosopher Nietzsche said:
“Facing difficulties, retreat only leads to being chased by greater difficulties.”
Ultimately, all these button-related troubles stem from Apple’s design shortcuts. According to Weibo user @楼斌 Robin’s iPhone teardown, the camera control button’s cap is permanently fixed to the internal metal backing plate through welding – any damage requires destructive disassembly.
▲ Teardown image from Weibo @楼斌 Robin
Apple’s official out-of-warranty repair pricing for this button ranges from ¥4,399 to ¥6,099.
This button is expensive to use and even more expensive to repair.
In recent years, Apple has focused on helping users manage their attention for improved efficiency, introducing features like Focus Mode and automation. CEO Tim Cook emphasized in an interview:
“Apple’s ultimate goal is to help users focus more, rejecting good ideas to make room for great ones.”
Currently, it seems Apple has forced iPhone 16 users to compress their “great ideas” in daily use, diverting attention to Apple’s “good idea” with this multi-structure, multi-technology button – quite contrary to their original intention.
Don’t criticize users for being overly protective of their phones – taking care of one’s possessions is never wrong.