iPhone 20 range rumored to ditch Action Button
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
A leak attributed to Instant Digital on Weibo claims Apple will discontinue the Action Button on upcoming iPhone models, likely beginning with the 20th‑anniversary iPhone slated for release in the second half of next year. The report says the function will be merged into the existing camera button, where a tap opens the camera and a long press triggers the Action Button’s shortcut capabilities. The Action Button, introduced on the Apple Watch Ultra in 2022 and added to iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, replaced the mute switch but has seen limited updates and mixed usage. Apple’s decision may reflect low adoption rates and the need to free space for other components, especially on the iPhone Duo, which omitted the button entirely. If accurate, this would be the first removal of an iPhone hardware control since the mute switch’s replacement.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Eliminating the Action Button signals Apple’s willingness to prune underused hardware in favor of streamlined design, reshaping how users will access shortcuts and camera functions.