The iPhone 17 has officially landed, and it’s hard not to reflect on the excitement that came with upgrading to the iPhone 16 last fall. The thrill of capturing stunning photos with upgraded cameras and longer battery life made the transition feel worthwhile. Not to mention, the vibrant Barbie pink color offered a fresh appeal. However, one unexpected addition threatened to overshadow this excitement.
If you’ve recently transitioned from an older model, you might have spotted two new buttons on your device: the action button and the camera control button. The action button, introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models, is a tiny customizable button above the volume controls. It can perform various tasks, from silencing your phone to even ordering your morning coffee. In contrast, the camera control button is the real troublemaker.
This new button on the iPhone 16 lineup is designed to streamline your photography experience. It launches the camera app swiftly and even allows you to adjust the zoom through a mini settings menu. But the true essence of this button lies in its connection to AI. All iPhone 17 models feature this button, emphasizing Apple’s commitment to artificial intelligence amid many updates in iOS 16.
With the push into AI, the camera control button represents a tangible link to Apple’s Visual Intelligence—a feature enabling users to scan real-world objects for more information. While it sounds impressive, many users, including myself, find the practicality lacking, as I seldom have the desire to utilize such capabilities.
If you’re wondering why this button is a nuisance, let me tell you. It’s oversized—similar to the power button—and positioned conveniently for accidental presses. I’ve unintentionally opened my camera countless times: while reaching into my pocket, navigating during a drive, or even turning off my phone for the night, which resulted in a drained battery since the camera app remained active.
What’s even more frustrating is its unreliability. When I genuinely want to access my camera, it often takes several attempts. So, I ask, what’s the purpose of a button that only works when you don’t need it and fails when you do? There are already three ways to access the camera from the lock screen that are quick and efficient.
While my complaints about the camera control button may seem trivial compared to the broader positive experience with my new device, they highlight a worrying trend in tech. Many companies are rushing to embed AI features into their products, yet they have not fully considered how these features enhance user experiences—or detract from them, as is the case here. Furthermore, there appears to be a lack of viable opt-out options in most cases.
Fortunately, Apple allows users to disable the camera control feature. To do so, navigate to your iPhone’s settings, select camera, tap camera control, go to accessibility, and switch off camera control. If you suffer from the button’s sensitive nature, you can adjust the number of taps required or the pressure needed to activate the button under light-press force.
For those interested in exploring the latest improvements, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max come with hands-on features worth checking out.