The iPhone 16 series is anticipated to incorporate an additional capacitive button, internally referred to as the "Capture Button." Known under the codename "Project Nova," this button has the potential to become a significant selling feature of the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup, assuming it successfully clears the initial testing phase. Positioned slightly lower on the same side as the Power button, the Capture Button replaces the mmWave cutout, which has been relocated to the opposite side, beneath the volume buttons. The exact purpose of this new capacitive button remains unknown. 


The Capture Button is expected to be a capacitive button rather than a traditional mechanical one. Unlike mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons do not physically depress when pressed; instead, they rely on pressure and touch sensitivity, providing haptic feedback through the utilization of haptic engines. These buttons are anticipated to function similarly to the Home Button on the iPhone SE, which uses the built-in Taptic Engine to simulate the sensation of pressing a physical button. Our sources indicate that the capacitive buttons will also feature force sensor functionality, allowing them to detect applied force and convert it into electrical signals.


During the early stages of developing the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple experimented with capacitive buttons through a project called Bongo, which was subsequently canceled. The Bongo module comprised capacitive Power and Volume buttons, but did not introduce any additional buttons into the mix. According to information from our sources, the cancellation took place during the EVT (Engineering Validation Test) stage due to unsatisfactory test results and a significant number of hardware issues. This cancellation provided Apple engineers with an opportunity to reimagine the capacitive buttons for the ‌iPhone 16‌ series in a new and innovative way. Unlike the Bongo project, the Capture Button is set to be featured across the entire ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup, including the base model ‌iPhone 16‌ and 16 Plus. It is worth noting that Apple also prepared a hardware configuration without the Capture Button, possibly as a backup option in case of continued hardware problems. The Capture Button has been observed on both eSIM-only models and devices that support physical SIM card slots. Additionally, the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup is expected to introduce a capacitive Action Button. Referred to as "Project Atlas," this haptic Action Button shares a similar design with the Capture Button, utilizing strain gauges and a reluctance motor to provide haptic feedback.


Furthermore, the base model ‌iPhone 16‌ is predicted to feature a redesigned camera bump with a vertical camera arrangement akin to the ‌iPhone‌ 12. Additionally, the Pro models are expected to exhibit an increase in screen size, transitioning from 6.1" and 6.7" to 6.3" and 6.9" respectively.


It must be emphasized that the information provided is based on pre-production details. The ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup is still in the early stages of development, and the design has not yet been finalized. Consequently, there is always the possibility that the Capture Button may not be included in the final product.


For more comprehensive information regarding these developments, please refer to our rumor roundup page for the iPhone 16.