Apple’s iPhone 16 cases won’t need a Capture button cutout

It’s now as close to certain as it can be that the forthcoming iPhone 16 models will have a new Capture button. Expected to be partly a camera shutter button and partly a touch-sensitive control, Capture is only the second new button to be added to the iPhone in years.

The first was the Action button, which was introduced to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2023. That button, however, requires a cutout in iPhone cases for users to be able to press it.

According to a new leak by DuanRui on Twitter, however, the Capture button does not need the same cutout. Reportedly, many case manufacturers are including a cutout for it, but Apple itself is not.

It’s certainly possible that the capacitive Capture button could be pressed through a case. Apple has also recently been revealed to have researched making cases where pressing a specific area signals the iPhone that a button has been pushed.

However, it seems unlikely that Apple would add and promote a new button that then gets covered up. There would at least have to be an indication for where users should press this unfamiliar new button.

Still, DuanRui has a history of reporting leaks concerning cases and other accessories, for instance predicting the iPhone 14 Plus based on case designs.

However, the truth of this rumor will be confirmed at the “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9, 2024.