The iPhone 18’s Camera Control may not be going away, but Apple may change it in a way you won’t expect

Recently, we’ve heard the shocking news that Apple may get rid of the Camera Control button for the iPhone 18. But this specific rumor comes from an unknown tipster, and this time, it’s getting contradicted by a more well-known Apple leaker. According to this new leak, Apple may not remove the button altogether, but simplify it. Weibo leaker Instant Digital claims that the Camera Control’s pressure-sensitive modules for the iPhone 18 are still currently in trial production. However, the Cupertino tech giant may remove the capacitive sensor from the current dual-sensor design. Instead, Apple may use pressure sensing to achieve all button functions. 

According to Instant Digital, Apple’s new approach may be similar to that on devices like the Oppo Find X8 Ultra, where pressure sensors can recognize light taps, firm presses, and sliding gestures. 

Apparently, as the tipster claims, it’s the costs that are driving the change (well, almost everything in this life is cost-driven, but hey). The current solution is said to be “very expensive” for Apple, and is also causing expensive after-sales repairs. And, according to the tipster, this is creating cost pressure for the company. We also have Visual Intelligence, which is yet to be fully released, as one of the perceived values of this button to begin with.

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Instant Digital has generally had a good track record for leaks. And personally, I think it makes more sense for Apple to simplify the button than remove it just two generations after it’s been introduced (it arrived with the iPhone 16 series).