The launch of the iPhone 16 lineup introduced several new features aimed at enhancing the camera experience, but not all have received positive feedback. One of the most talked-about features, the Camera Control button, has garnered critiques, with users expressing disappointment over its performance and usability. This criticism is juxtaposed against the promising capabilities of Visual Intelligence, another new feature intended to transform how users interact with their camera.
The Camera Control feature was heralded as one of the marquee additions to the iPhone 16. Apple integrated layers of software functionality to offer state-of-the-art camera capabilities. Despite this ambitious vision, critics argue it has become one of the least effective features Apple has introduced. Some have gone as far as to call it "Apple’s biggest hardware change...a huge disappointment," noting the button's many shortcomings.
Chris Smith from BGR also expressed his disappointment with the iPhone 16’s Camera Control, stating, "I still missed having the Camera Control button after returning my iPhone 16 Plus." This reflects the contrasting experiences of users who initially welcomed the new feature but later found it cumbersome to use.
After months of use, users have identified four main issues with Camera Control: the initial lag when opening the camera app, uncomfortable button positioning, inefficient settings selection, and frustratingly frequent black screens when attempting to use it. One user recounted, "Fast-opening the Camera app with it is always laggy for me — sometimes, it actually causes my phone to reboot," highlighting the technical shortcomings of what was expected to be a streamlined feature.
While the Camera Control feature disappointed many, Apple introduced another technology known as Visual Intelligence during the iPhone 16 launch event. Visual Intelligence aims to redefine camera interaction by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver contextual information about the scene captured by the camera. Exclusive to the iPhone 16 lineup, it promises to turn the camera itself "into a true visual search engine." Imagine aiming your iPhone at a restaurant and instantly receiving its operating hours, reviews, and even being able to add it to your calendar — all thanks to the integrated AI technology.
Visual Intelligence utilizes the A18 chip for fast processing, completing much image analysis on-device to maintain privacy and speed. The technology also leverages cloud processing for more complex tasks, allowing for real-time contextual interaction. Unlike the Camera Control feature, which has faced user backlash since its debut, Visual Intelligence received positive attention for its potential applications, reminiscent of Google Lens but with Apple’s more integrated user experience.
Apple's commitment to privacy extends to this AI technology as well, with user data protection at the forefront of its design. For example, Visual Intelligence's interactions with third-party services like Google and ChatGPT require explicit user permission, addressing the potential concerns surrounding data privacy.
Visual Intelligence was integrated with the iOS 18.2 update and, unfortunately, has also been met with limitations. Initially available only to English-speaking users outside the United States, the feature will gradually roll out additional language support. Certain regions, such as the European Union and China, will not receive Visual Intelligence at launch due to regulatory concerns, making it less universally accessible.
Despite the challenges surrounding Camera Control, many users remain hopeful for improvements. Some speculate future updates might address the current limitations. Others, after experiencing both features, have expressed disappointment over the decision to highlight Camera Control as central to the user experience.
With advancements like Visual Intelligence on the horizon, many users are eagerly awaiting how Apple will shift its focus moving forward. Critics hope the company will simplify the user experience with future iterations rather than complicate it with features like Camera Control, which has proven to be more frustrating than functional. There’s anticipation for the iPhone 17 to deliver a more intuitive photography experience, perhaps rediscovering the straightforward enjoyment traditionally associated with Apple devices.
So far, the hype around the iPhone 16’s Camera Control has transformed for many users from excitement to disappointment. While Apple continues pushing its technological boundaries, the reception of new features will significantly shape public perception of future releases.
