Consolidating Controls for a New Design
On November 6, 2026, reports emerged from the supply chain and leaker community suggesting that Apple is planning a significant hardware shift for its 2027 iPhone Pro lineup. According to a MacRumors report citing the leaker known as “Instant Digital,” Apple intends to eliminate the dedicated Action button, a feature that has been a staple of the Pro series since its introduction on the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023. Instead, the company reportedly plans to integrate the Action button’s customizable functionality directly into the existing Camera Control button, which debuted with the iPhone 16.
The proposed interaction model would allow users to maintain their existing workflows while reducing the total number of physical inputs on the device. Under this rumored system, a standard press of the Camera Control button would continue to launch the camera application, while a long-press would trigger the specific task currently assigned to the Action button, such as toggling Silent mode, enabling Focus, or activating the flashlight. This integration, reported by 9to5Mac, is being framed as a strategic move to simplify the device’s external architecture ahead of the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027.
The 20th Anniversary Redesign
The decision to consolidate these buttons appears to be part of a broader, more ambitious aesthetic overhaul. Industry reports, including data from The Apple Post, suggest that Apple is developing a “quad-curved” display for the 2027 Pro models, which would wrap around all four edges of the device to create a near-bezel-free appearance. This design language is expected to move away from the flat-sided aesthetic that has defined the iPhone for several years, potentially incorporating more glass across both the front and rear surfaces.
Beyond the visual impact, removing a separate physical button could offer practical manufacturing advantages. The Camera Control has received mixed feedback regarding its ergonomics and complexity; by folding the Action button’s customization into this interface, Apple may be attempting to give the control a more defined and useful purpose. Furthermore, reducing the total number of buttons lowers the risk of accidental inputs or user confusion, particularly as the device chassis becomes more complex due to the new curved display technology. While Apple has yet to confirm these plans or the final naming convention for the 2027 devices—which may be marketed as the iPhone 20 Pro or a similar iteration—the precedent set by the iPhone Duo, which also lacks a dedicated Action button, suggests that this consolidation is a deliberate shift in the company’s hardware philosophy.