Apple iPhone 16 Camera Control Button

The iPhone 16’s new “camera control” button, positioned on the aluminum or titanium frame, marks a significant usability upgrade. This button makes taking photos and videos more intuitive, allowing for single-handed operation that mimics traditional camera ergonomics.

However, this button appears to occupy the space previously used for the side-firing millimeter wave (mmWave) antenna. This antenna is crucial for 5G connectivity in North America, particularly for high-frequency FR2 bands. The apparent replacement of the mmWave antenna with the camera control button suggests that Apple may have prioritized camera functionality over 5G performance.

It remains unclear whether Apple has relocated the mmWave antenna within the iPhone 16 or integrated it into the new button design. The antenna might have been moved to the rear of the device, potentially affecting 5G performance due to reduced spatial diversity. Earlier models, starting with the iPhone 13, moved the front-firing mmWave antenna to the rear, but having all three mmWave antennas on one side may compromise signal quality.

International versions of the iPhone 16, which lack mmWave antennas and include a physical SIM tray, further indicate regional design adjustments.

TechInsights will conduct a thorough teardown analysis of the iPhone 16 soon to uncover the specifics of these design changes and their impact on performance. Stay tuned for an in-depth examination of the iPhone 16’s hardware and RF design.