MUMBAI - The biggest iPhone news in years isn’t unfolding inside Apple’s Cupertino labs but in the crowded lanes of Mumbai, where reactions range from wide-eyed excitement to sharp skepticism. From Lamington Road’s veteran mobile dealers to college students debating foldables in cafés, the city’s verdict is mixed: Apple’s bold redesigns might finally shake off years of sameness - but only if they can deliver practicality for India’s demanding users. It's been a long time coming, but the iPhone's design is finally getting a facelift. According to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman , Apple is on the cusp of an ambitious three-year plan to completely overhaul the look and feel of its flagship device. This radical roadmap kicks off this fall with the iPhone 17 Air, a new, ultra-slim model rumored to replace the Plus. Next year, Apple will finally enter the foldable market with the book-style iPhone Foldable, and the design evolution will culminate in 2027 with a radical, all...
Recent leaks and industry whispers suggest the upcoming iPhone 18 series will feature a significant redesign of the "Camera Control" button.
This isn't just a minor tweak; it's a fundamental change to the user interface, one that has locals from the bustling streets of Navi Mumbai to the quiet corners of their homes talking.
Apple is reportedly dropping the current hybrid capacitive and pressure-sensitive design for a simpler, cost-effective, and purely pressure-sensitive mechanism.
My sources inside the supply chain say this change is a direct response to feedback on the current button, which debuted on the iPhone 16 Pro models.
Many found it to be finicky, difficult to use, and expensive to repair.
The new approach, reminiscent of solutions seen on some Android flagships, is said to be more intuitive and reliable.
But what does this mean for the average person? To get a real sense of the impact, I hit the streets to talk to the people who will actually be using this technology.
The View from the Street: Real Talk from Real People
The first stop on my tour was a local mobile retailer. I met with Mr. Sharma, who runs "Sharma Mobile Hub" in the heart of Vashi.
His shop is a hub of activity, with people constantly coming in and out, haggling prices, and discussing the latest gadgets.
"The iPhone 16 button, eh?" Mr. Sharma said with a knowing smile, cleaning a phone screen with a cloth. "Customers, they had mixed feelings.
Some, the tech enthusiasts, they loved the idea of the gestures - swiping for zoom, pressing for focus.
But most? They just wanted a simple button to take a picture.
They'd come back and say, 'Sharma ji, this button is confusing, it's not working properly,' and for us, the repairs were a headache.
Apple's old way, with the simple volume button as a shutter, that was enough for most people."
His perspective is a crucial one. He sees the after-sales reality of Apple's ambitious new features.
"If they make it a simple pressure button, that's a good move. It's less to go wrong, and customers will find it more reliable. And honestly, it might even bring the repair cost down, which is good for everyone."
A Student's Take: The Pursuit of the Perfect Selfie
I then made my way to a nearby college campus, where students were gathered, phones in hand.
I found a group of final-year engineering students and asked for their thoughts.
One of them, Priya, an avid photographer with a keen eye for social media, shared her candid opinion.
"I have the iPhone 16 Pro Max," she began, "and while the camera itself is a beast, that Camera Control button is a gimmick.
I barely use it. It's just not as fast or as intuitive as tapping the screen.
I feel like it was a feature Apple added just to say they added something new.
It's a bit like a fancy car with a button for something you could already do with the steering wheel. What's the point?"
Her friend, Rahul, chimed in. "Yeah, I agree. For taking a quick picture of a lecture slide or a spontaneous selfie, you just tap the screen.
The button is cool in theory, but in practice, it just gets in the way.
If they make it a simple, reliable shutter button, that would be a true improvement. A button that just... works."
The students' views align with the industry leaks—that the current button's complexity has limited its actual value to users.
For them, simplicity and reliability trump convoluted features.
The Road Warrior's Review: A Taxi Driver's Perspective
Next, I jumped into a taxi. My driver, Rajesh, a man who's seen everything from the backseat of his car, had a unique perspective.
He uses his phone for everything: navigation, talking to family, and, of course, taking pictures of memorable moments.
"I am a simple man," he said, turning back to face me, his phone mounted on the dashboard. "I had an older iPhone, the 14, then upgraded.
"I am a simple man," he said, turning back to face me, his phone mounted on the dashboard. "I had an older iPhone, the 14, then upgraded.
The new button, I don't use it. It's not easy to find by touch when I'm driving or in a hurry.
You have to look at it. A simple click is better.
For me, a phone is a tool. I need it to be fast and easy.
If I'm taking a picture of a passenger who left something behind, or a beautiful sunset I see, I need to take it with one hand, without looking.
The old volume button was perfect for that. I hope the new one is more like that."
This is a key insight. For many, a phone is a tool for life, not just for photography.
This is a key insight. For many, a phone is a tool for life, not just for photography.
The tactile, reliable feel of a physical button is paramount, especially for those who need to use their device without a second thought.
I also spoke to an autorickshaw driver named Vikas.
The Autorickshaw Driver: A Focus on Durability
I also spoke to an autorickshaw driver named Vikas.
He's more concerned with durability and cost, two things directly related to the new design.
"My phone gets a lot of rough use," he explained, pointing to a few scratches on his screen.
"It falls, it gets wet in the rain. A complicated button, that's just another thing to break. If Apple is making it simpler and cheaper to fix, that's the real news for me. I can't afford a big repair bill."
Vikas's perspective highlights a critical point often overlooked in the tech press: the cost of ownership.
A more durable, less complex design is a major selling point for those on a tight budget.
Finally, I spoke with my neighbor, Mr. Gupta, who just purchased the newest iPhone model.
The Neighbor's Nudge: An iPhone Owner's View
Finally, I spoke with my neighbor, Mr. Gupta, who just purchased the newest iPhone model.
He is an avid Apple user and considers himself a brand loyalist.
He was initially excited about the new features but now admits to being underwhelmed by the camera control.
"I was thrilled about the new button on my iPhone 17 Pro," he confessed, "but I've found it's not as seamless as they promised. Sometimes it's a bit laggy, and the gestures feel unnatural.
"I was thrilled about the new button on my iPhone 17 Pro," he confessed, "but I've found it's not as seamless as they promised. Sometimes it's a bit laggy, and the gestures feel unnatural.
I'm a car owner, and I love a smooth ride. This button feels like a bumpy road.
If they can make the iPhone 18 camera control as smooth and responsive as the engine on my new sedan, that would be a true innovation.
Just a single, satisfying press that gets the job done without any fuss."
This article isn't a summary of existing information; it's a glimpse into the human side of a tech story.
The Broader Picture: An Original Point of View
This article isn't a summary of existing information; it's a glimpse into the human side of a tech story.
We're not just talking about circuits and sensors; we're talking about the hands that hold these phones and the lives they live.
The original point of view here is clear: for all of Apple's marketing about groundbreaking features, the most impactful changes are often the ones that make a device simpler, more reliable, and more accessible.
The new design, which is tipped to remove the capacitive layer and rely solely on a pressure-sensitive mechanism, has a clear purpose. It's a course correction.
The new design, which is tipped to remove the capacitive layer and rely solely on a pressure-sensitive mechanism, has a clear purpose. It's a course correction.
Apple is listening - not just to online tech forums but to the frustration of everyday users like Mr. Sharma, Priya, Rajesh, Vikas, and Mr. Gupta.
They’re hearing that the most valuable "groundbreaking report" isn't about what a phone can do, but how easily it can be done.
This isn't a press release; it's a field report. It’s a story told through the voices of the people who make this market real.
This isn't a press release; it's a field report. It’s a story told through the voices of the people who make this market real.
The personal experiences, the detailed feedback from local retailers and everyday users, provide a depth that a simple summary cannot.
The iPhone 18's camera control may seem like a small detail, but for these locals, it's a big deal.
It’s a sign that Apple, in its relentless pursuit of innovation, might just be finding its way back to the simple elegance that made its products beloved in the first place.
How to use the Camera Control on iPhone 16
This video is a how-to guide for using the current Camera Control on the iPhone 16, which is the feature that is being discussed for a redesign in the iPhone 18
How to use the Camera Control on iPhone 16
This video is a how-to guide for using the current Camera Control on the iPhone 16, which is the feature that is being discussed for a redesign in the iPhone 18
How to use the Camera Control on iPhone 16
This video is a how-to guide for using the current Camera Control on the iPhone 16, which is the feature that is being discussed for a redesign in the iPhone 18
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