Apple to simplify iPhone 18 Camera Control button design, leaker claims

Apple is reportedly planning to simplify the Camera Control button on next year’s iPhone 18, removing one of its sensing layers to reduce manufacturing costs, according to a report cited by MacRumors.

The current button, introduced with the iPhone 17 lineup, combines capacitive and pressure sensors beneath a sapphire crystal surface — allowing for taps, presses, and swipes to control the camera.

However, a leaker known as Instant Digital claims Apple will drop the capacitive sensing layer in the second-generation version, relying solely on pressure recognition to achieve the same range of Camera Control functions.

The change is reportedly aimed at cutting costs and improving reliability, as the current dual-sensor design is said to be expensive to produce and responsible for some costly after-sales repairs.

Despite the redesign, the leaker emphasized that Apple does not plan to remove the Camera Control button from the iPhone 18 entirely, as it had previously been rumored.