The addition of the camera control button is probably the biggest change to the iPhone 16 lineup this year. As its name suggests, it allows you to take photos (except for left-handed people) with intuitive gestures. But its position on the edge would make it a button for video games. Apple would just need to offer it in an iOS 18 update.
When will there be an iPhone Gaming?
The camera control button is a capacitive input designed for quickly taking photos. However, its position on the device raises the question of whether it could serve as a trigger for games, particularly racing games and first-person shooters (FPS). Many high-end gaming phones, such as the ASUS ROG Phone 8, already offer triggers, which are very useful to gamers in competitive games. Of course, Apple only put one out there, but it would be a good start.
While not perfectly placed, repurposing the camera control key for gaming could offer a solution for people frustrated with touchscreen controls. Its potential use as a trigger could help improve control in games such as Fortnite, PUBG and other COD Mobile or Warzone, not to mention titles like Real Racing.
The concern is that Apple is probably not ready to open its button to game developers, the company having gone all out on its Camera Control which promises to improve shooting. In addition, it would complicate the message sent to customers.
In any case, it is unlikely that Apple will deviate from the intended use of the camera control button. But it would be a great idea for the future, with why not an iPhone Gaming dedicated to games thanks to two (or more) buttons positioned on the frame. Even if it means releasing several models each year, as long as they all have their own capacity. An iPhone for games, another for photos and videos, another more classic for larger hands, as well as a more compact version.
In the meantime, gamers will likely continue to rely on traditional touch controls or external controllers. Speaking of which, there are plenty of options, the best being the Razer Kishi, Backbone One, and G8 Galileo.
