The iPhone 16 series is expected to have an additional capacitive button known as the “capture button”. The button, codenamed “Project Nova”, will probably be one of the main advantages of the “iPhone 16” series, assuming it passes the initial testing phase. The capture button is slightly lower, on the same side as the power button; Here’s where you can find the mmWave notch on the latest iPhone models. The mmWave cutout has been moved to the opposite side, located below the volume buttons. It is currently unknown what the new capacitive button will be used for.

The capture button is expected to be capacitive instead of the standard mechanical. Capacitive buttons, unlike mechanical buttons, do not move when pressed. Instead, the button detects pressure and touch, providing haptic feedback through haptic mechanisms. The buttons are expected to work similar to the Home button on the iPhone SE, simulating pressing a physical button using the built-in Taptic Engine. According to our sources, capacitive buttons will have a force sensing function. Force sensors detect the applied force and convert the magnitude of the force into electrical signals.

Early in the development of the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple experimented with capacitive buttons on the “iPhone” in the form of the canceled Bongo project. The Bongo module, unlike the Capture Button, consisted of capacitive power and volume buttons and did not add any additional buttons. We hear from our sources that the Bongo module was canceled during EVT development following unsatisfactory test results and a significant number of hardware issues. The cancellation gave Apple engineers plenty of room to rethink the capacitive buttons of the “iPhone 16” series, this time with a brand new twist.

Unlike Project Bongo, the Capture Button will debut on the entire ‌iPhone 16‌ series, including the base model ‌iPhone 16‌ and 16 Plus. However, it’s worth noting that Apple has also created a hardware configuration without the Capture Button, perhaps as a fallback in the event of permanent hardware failure. The Capture Button appeared on both eSIM-only devices and devices with physical SIM card slots.

Apart from the new capture button, the ‌iPhone 16‌ series is also expected to feature a capacitive action button. Known as “Project Atlas,” the haptic button has a grip button-like design that uses strain gauges and a jet engine to provide the necessary tactile feedback.

In addition to the capture button and updated action button, the base ‌iPhone 16‌ model is expected to feature a redesigned camera bump with a vertical camera layout similar to the ‌iPhone‌ 12. The Pro models also have a larger screen size starting from 6.1″ and 6.7″″ to 6.3″ and 6.9″ respectively.

It is important to note that the information presented here is preliminary. The ‌iPhone 16‌ series is still in development and the design has not been completed yet. Therefore, there is always a chance that we may not see the capture button in the final product.