According to the tipster, the new "capture button" of the iPhone 16 series will be able to detect multi-level pressure to simulate the two-step shutter button of a dedicated digital camera. Last year, the new button "Capture Button" on the iPhone 16 model was exposed. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman commented that the "capture button" will be able to record video, while The Information reported that the "capture button" will add functions such as zooming in and out by swiping left and right on the button, and tapping the button to focus.
Now, Weibo user "Shen Na Digital" has confirmed that the capture button's main function is to trigger image or video capture, but it can adjust focus with a tap. This is essentially the same feature as most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, where the shutter button has two stages: pressing halfway locks focus or exposure, and pressing it all the way captures a photo. The leaker also said that the debut of the capture button reinforces the trend of the iPhone becoming a photography device.
As an early look at the iPhone 16 prototype explains, the capture button will be located on the bottom right of the iPhone 16. It will replace the millimeter wave antenna on US iPhone models, which will be moved to the left side of the device below the volume and action buttons. Non-US models don't have millimeter-wave antennas and need to be relocated to accommodate the capture button.
The Weibo account has a mixed record for revealing accurate information about Apple's plans. The source was the first to report on the iPhone 14’s yellow body spring update, the iPhone 15 Pro’s spatial video capture, the Apple Watch Series 9’s minor hardware updates, and is the only source of rumors claiming that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will use frosted back glass. However, they also claimed that several iOS 17 features and a new iPad Air would be released in October 2023, but these claims have not been confirmed.