The iPhone 16, slated to launch in the second half of 2024 as the successor to the iPhone 15 series of handsets, may include Apple's new Action Button. While the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max were equipped with the new button to replace the mute switch, a recent source claims that the company plans to provide all four models in the lineup with the customisable button, which will likely arrive in a revised form.
Apple will integrate the Action Button on all iPhone 16 versions
According to MacRumors, Apple will integrate the Action Button on all iPhone 16 versions, which are expected to be released next year. In contrast to the iPhone 15 lineup, the non-Pro iPhone 16 models are rumoured to include the new Action Button. It is also speculated that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would be the last iPhone models to feature the mute button — even the iPhone SE 4 is expected to come with the new button in 2025.
Meanwhile, according to the report, the Action Button on the iPhone 16 series will be redesigned next year. Instead of traditional mechanical buttons like the volume and power buttons, the new Action Button will include capacitive-style button functionality similar to the iPhone SE (2022) home button. Whether all models in the series will have the revised button, codenamed Atlas, is still being determined.
New functionality provided by the Action Button
This year, when Apple revealed the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the company emphasised the new functionality provided by the Action Button, which expands the usage of the previously used button to switch between vibration and ring modes on the iPhone.
On the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can use the action button to toggle ringer modes or accessibility features, launch the camera app or magnifier app, start or stop a voice memo or the flashlight, and turn focus modes on and off. Because of the transition to a capacitive button, it may be able to sense varied pressure levels. However, Apple fans must wait months until the rumoured iPhone 16 device series is unveiled in 2024.