Apple is preparing to make a major change to its upcoming iPhone 18 models. Recent reports suggest the company is working on simplifying the design of its Camera Control Button to reduce production costs. This revelation comes from a well-known Chinese leaker, who stated that Apple will now remove the capacitive sensor layer from this button and retain only the pressure-sensing system.
Currently, the iPhone 17 ‘s camera control button has two sensors beneath its sapphire crystal surface —a capacitive sensor, which recognizes gestures like touch and swipe, and a force sensor, which measures pressure intensity. However, the iPhone 18 will feature a single sensor. This is the same technology already used in devices like the OPPO X8 Ultra and Vivo X200 Ultra, where the pressure sensor alone recognizes light taps, firm presses, and sliding gestures.
Reports also claim that in the coming years, Apple may use piezoelectric ceramics in this system, which would provide localized haptic feedback in the buttons. This change could be a step towards solid-state buttons in the future —that is, buttons that don’t actually depress, but instead feel like real pressure to the touch.
Furthermore, some experts suggest that Apple’s move isn’t aimed at reducing functionality, but rather at cost savings, as the current system is very expensive and complicated to repair. Therefore, we can expect the iPhone 18 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and Foldable models to launch in 2026, while the iPhone 18 and 18e will arrive in 2027.
