The iPhone 16 will feature an additional "Capture button" that will increase storage capacity.
The new iPhone 16 series is expected to feature an additional button, dubbed the “Capture Button.” Codenamed “Project Nova,” this button is expected to be one of the main features of the new iPhone 16 series, provided it successfully passes the testing phase. The Capture Button will be located on the same side as the Power Button, but a little lower – where the latest models have the mmWave cutout. The mmWave cutout has been moved to the opposite side, below the volume buttons. It is currently unknown what this new button will be used for.
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The Capture Button is expected to be capacitive, not mechanical. Unlike mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons do not move when pressed. Instead, the button senses pressure and touch, providing haptic feedback through the use of haptic motors. The buttons are expected to work similarly to the Home Button on the iPhone SE, which simulates pressing a physical button through the built-in Taptic Engine. According to sources, the capacitive buttons will feature a force sensor. Force sensors detect the force applied and convert it into electrical signals, depending on its magnitude.
During the initial development of the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple experimented with capacitive buttons on the iPhone with a canceled project known as Bongo. Bongo featured capacitive buttons for power and volume control, without adding any other buttons. Bongo was reportedly canceled during the EVT development phase due to poor results and hardware issues. This cancellation gave Apple engineers plenty of room to rethink the use of capacitive buttons for the iPhone 16 series, this time with a completely new approach.
Unlike the Bongo, the Capture Button is set to debut across the entire iPhone 16 lineup, including the base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models. It's worth noting that Apple has developed an alternative hardware configuration without the Capture Button, presumably to address any potential hardware issues. The Capture Button has appeared on both eSIM-only units and devices with support for physical SIM card slots.
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Along with the new Capture Button, the iPhone 16 series is expected to feature a capacitive Action Button. Known as “Project Atlas,” the haptic Action Button uses a similar design to the Capture Button, using strain gauges and a reluctance motor to provide the necessary haptic feedback.
In addition to the Capture Button and upgraded Action Button, the base iPhone 16 model is expected to feature a revamped camera with a vertical snapper, similar to that of the iPhone 12. In addition, there is expected to be an increase in screen size for the Pro models, from 6.1″ and 6.7″ to 6.3″ and 6.9″ respectively.
It's important to note that the information presented here is pre-production. The next-generation iPhone, the iPhone 16, is still in the early stages of development and its design is not yet finalized. This means there's always a chance that the Capture button won't be included in the final product.
Source: macrumors.com
