Apple is reportedly planning to combine the Action Button and Camera Control into a single multifunction button, according to the leaker Instant Digital. MacRumors reports that the change would begin with iPhones launching in the second half of 2027. A single press would open the Camera app, as Camera Control does now, while a long press would trigger whatever function is assigned to the Action Button. The leaker says the dedicated Action Button would disappear, but Camera Control would stay and take over its customizable shortcuts, such as the flashlight, Silent mode, Shortcuts or a Focus mode.
The Action Button debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, replacing the Ring/Silent switch, and it needs a long press to activate. Camera Control is activated with a single press, so merging them could give the button a clearer purpose. Removing one physical button could also simplify manufacturing and stop people from mistaking the Action Button for the volume keys beside it.
Apple has already shipped one iPhone without the separate Action Button. The iPhone Duo has Camera Control but no Action Button and no mute switch, so Silent mode has to be turned on from Control Center. That doesn’t mean the 2027 lineup will follow, and the leak doesn’t say which models would get the combined button.
The same leaker previously claimed Apple would simplify Camera Control by removing its capacitive sensing layer and relying only on pressure sensing, in order to cut costs. MacRumors notes that change didn’t materialize on the iPhone 18 lineup, and it’s unclear whether it’s tied to this new claim. A second-half 2027 timeline would also line up with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary.
M Adnan Akram is the founder and lead writer at Phoonomo, covering mobile technology with a primary focus on Samsung and the broader smartphone industry, alongside emerging developments in AI. He follows product launches, spec leaks, and industry trends closely to keep readers informed with timely updates.
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