The introduction of Camera Control with the iPhone 16 was met with a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. Initial feedback suggested that the button’s functionality was not as intuitive as Apple had promised, often coming across as more of a novelty than a substantial feature. My first experiences mirrored these critiques, but my perspective has evolved significantly over the past six months since acquiring the iPhone 16 Pro.
Initial Thoughts on the iPhone 16 Pro’s Key Feature
Upon receiving my iPhone 16 Pro, I eagerly began experimenting with Camera Control, only to find it rather frustrating at first.
It quickly became apparent that Apple seemed to design this feature primarily for users who prefer taking pictures in landscape mode, with the device held horizontally.
However, I don’t typically take landscape photos, so this design was not reflective of my habits.
Initially, when I held my iPhone in vertical orientation, I encountered two main issues:
- My one-handed grip often led to accidental half-presses of Camera Control.
- Using Camera Control for advanced functions like zooming felt cumbersome in that position.
It was clear that if I were to hold my iPhone horizontally, I could utilize Camera Control as intended without any hassles.
Yet, as most iPhone users probably agree, vertical shooting is the norm today.
Fortunately, my experience has improved significantly since then.
Camera Control Improvements Following iOS 18 Updates
In the last six months, numerous updates to iOS have enhanced Camera Control, making it much more suited to my requirements.
One substantial improvement came with iOS 18.2, introducing a highly anticipated feature in the Settings app: the ability to disable the “Require Screen On” toggle.
This option, which can be found under Settings ⇾ Camera ⇾ Camera Control starting with the iOS 18.4 beta, was previously located within Display & Brightness settings.
This new feature alleviated a significant frustration—previously, I had to press Camera Control twice: the first to wake the device and the second to start the Camera app.
This inconsistency was quite annoying since launching the Camera could require one or two presses depending on whether the screen was already lit, negatively impacting the feature’s reliability.
Now, I can swiftly access the Camera with a single press on Camera Control, regardless of the screen’s status.
Additionally, the introduction of visual intelligence features in iOS 18.2 and its enhancements in 18.3 have enriched the overall experience.
While I haven’t relied heavily on this feature, I appreciate its potential and anticipate utilizing it more as it evolves.
Enhancements for Winter Photography with Camera Control
I’ve also uncovered another significant benefit of Camera Control during the colder months.
I tend to get cold easily, especially in winter, so staying warm is a priority for me. While I often wear gloves during outdoor activities, I’ve discovered that good touchscreen-compatible gloves can vary in effectiveness. This season, I’ve been particularly pleased with the Moshi Digits gloves.
Even when my gloves are functional with touchscreens, having Camera Control has significantly improved my photography experience compared to tapping the screen directly.
In the past winters, capturing spontaneous moments often meant fumbling with my phone and frequently removing my gloves.
This winter, with Camera Control, I can easily launch the Camera app by pressing the button and take photos with subsequent presses, allowing me to keep my hands warm and gloved.
Conclusion: Camera Control as a Dedicated Capture Button
Thanks to Apple’s enhancements to Camera Control and my experiences over the winter, I’m genuinely thankful for this feature. I can’t imagine using an iPhone without it now.
That said, I primarily stick to the simple capture function and have completely turned off all ‘Light-Press’ gestures, including zoom and exposure controls.
If I were more inclined toward landscape photography, I might explore these features again. However, for my vertical shooting style, Camera Control serves as an invaluable capture button, and that’s all I really need.
How have you been utilizing Camera Control? Share your thoughts in the comments!
