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Apple introduced it in 2023, now preparing to remove it from iPhones
Hardware features integrated into phones with high expectations may not be included in future models after the initial excitement wanes. The feature Apple added to iPhones with heavy promotion in 2023 could be completely removed from upcoming models.
According to supply chain leaks, Apple plans to stop using the Action Button as separate hardware starting with the 20th anniversary iPhone series and integrate it directly into the Camera Control button. This means the Action Button, which in my opinion serves no purpose, will likely no longer be included on iPhones in the coming years.
Instant Digital, known for posts regarding Apple products, stated on China-based social media platform Weibo that the company will gradually phase out the Action Button starting in the second half of next year. The step could be implemented with the new generation iPhone series coinciding with Apple's 20th anniversary. The return of the old mute switch is not on the table.
Two Buttons Will Be Combined into One Surface
According to information in the leak, instead of disappearing completely, the Action Button will be integrated into the existing Camera Control button. In the shared usage scenario, tapping the button once opens the camera, while holding the button down triggers the function currently assigned to the Action Button.
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Additionally, the Camera Control button on current iPhone models opens the camera with a single press. Holding the button triggers Apple's Visual Intelligence feature. If the planned change is implemented, new tasks will be assigned to this button's pressing mechanism and software commands.
Process That Started with Apple Watch Ultra
For context, the Action Button first appeared on the Apple Watch Ultra model introduced in September 2022. Apple brought this hardware to the iPhone 15 Pro series in 2023, removing the classic mute switch on the left side of the devices. At the time, the button was expected to arrive on the iPad series as well, but that step was not taken.
A patent that surfaced in 2024 documented that Apple had broader plans for this hardware. The patent outlined adding multiple Action Buttons to iPhone cases, even if not directly on the device itself. However, omitting the Action Button on the iPhone Duo model indicated that the company might stop keeping this button as mandatory hardware on every model.
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Current Usage Status of the Action Button
The Action Button has not received a major software update since its introduction. Pressing the button only once does not execute an action; instead, it displays an on-screen prompt indicating that the key must be pressed longer. The press-and-hold method is used to launch a single command or a sequence of tasks via the Shortcuts app.
On the other hand, users can also execute a significant portion of the shortcut functions offered by the Action Button via icons on the lock screen. The ability to substitute the hardware with lock screen software has made the presence of this button on the device body a subject of debate.
Reklam
This article was translated from Turkish. Read the original article in Turkish.
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