Apple always makes some innovative decisions with its new iPhones. The recent Camera Control function was one of them and was mostly applauded by users. The hardware part is positioned as a dedicated tool for users to control zoom, focus, and camera shortcuts more conveniently than ever before. It was at its peak on the iPhone 16 series devices and will be carried on the iPhone 17 series. Now, the existence of this hardware feature is in doubt if we believe the new rumor.
According to a recent leak shared on Chinese social platform Weibo, Apple has reportedly informed suppliers that it will stop ordering components for the Camera Control button. This strongly suggests that the feature may be removed entirely from the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026. It is not clear whether all the iPhone 18 models will get it or only the standard models will have to sacrifice it.
The reasoning behind this move is that Apple has found the button did not drive enough engagement among everyday users. The majority of iPhone users simply did not use it frequently. Given Apple’s strict focus on balancing innovation with practicality, the company appears to have decided that the production costs of the button outweigh its benefits.
If the reports prove true, Apple’s decision marks another reminder of how the company is willing to pivot quickly when a feature fails to resonate with a wide audience. It is early news, so we should wait for more concrete information. iPhone 18 series will be launched in 2026, but the regular iPhone 18 will reportedly launch in the first half of 2027.