As the Apple iPhone 16 series reaches consumers’ hands, early impressions are pouring in, and they paint a mixed picture. While the phone’s performance is exceeding expectations in areas such as processing power, heat management, and camera capabilities, there’s one feature drawing significant attention—for all the wrong reasons.
This year, Apple introduced a new capacitive button on the side of the iPhone 16. Positioned for ease of access when holding the phone horizontally, the button is meant to function like a camera shutter, offering a tactile vibration response. Apple aimed to improve the camera experience by simulating the feel of a traditional camera. However, some users are not impressed. Many are calling this feature one of the most disappointing innovations by Apple to date. If that’s not enough, the repair cost of this button is mind-boggling.
1. Repair Costs Skyrocket
Reports indicate that the capacitive button is made up of nine different components, which significantly increases the likelihood of failure. If the button breaks, Apple categorizes it under “other damage,” and the repair costs are staggering. For the iPhone 16, the repair bill can reach 4,399 RMB (~US$624), and for the iPhone 16 Pro, it’s as high as 5,299 RMB (~US$751).
This is mainly because Apple tends to offer full device repairs rather than addressing individual component issues. Even small problems with the camera button are categorized as “Other damage,” which can lead to higher repair costs. Since the capacitive button consists of up to nine components, it introduces multiple potential points of failure.
2. What Went Wrong?
From Apple’s marketing materials, the intention behind the capacitive button was clear. The idea was to give users a better camera experience: light taps would open menus, swiping would adjust settings, and the button would act as a camera shutter. On paper, this sounds innovative. In practice, it’s a different story.
Users have reported that the button doesn’t work as smoothly as Apple suggests. The positioning is awkward, making it difficult to reach when holding the phone horizontally or vertically. For many, trying to use the button for photography results in poor ergonomics, making it hard to hold the phone steadily while pressing the button.
Another issue is the small interface that pops up when using the button to adjust camera settings. Many users find it cumbersome and less intuitive than simply adjusting the settings directly on the touchscreen. In short, the feature overcomplicates what should be a simple process, and the repairability cost of the button could make users more reluctant to use this new feature.
(Source)
