iPhone 15 Pro Action Button is a Horrible Idea

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

I'm not an Apple Watch Ultra user... but I've read a lot of reviews saying that the Action Button is not that useful there either (and has a lot of false presses)

I'm sure we can find just as many reviews which say the exact opposite. I'm not sure what your point is there.

My question is if you already know that the phone won't suit your needs, then why do you still feel as though you have to buy it? It's really mind boggling. There are still plenty of phones available that will have a mute switch.

This thread is also following the typical troll pattern on here, where the OP makes a statement & then challenges or attacks everyone who provides an answer.

Wait, the ability to launch *literally anything you want* via app (or more importantly Shortcuts which really makes the button completely customizable) is “no real reason”?

If you want a simple mute, it’s the default and provides feedback on silent or not right in your pocket. No loss in functionality right there as the default. AND YOU CAN CHOOSE TO MAKE IT LITERALLY DO ANYTHING ELSE IF YOU WANT TO.

I really don’t understand viewing the action button as anything but more freedom of choice 🤷‍♂️

Oh I agree. My point to OP was that the removal of that switch shouldn't come as a surprise because Apple has a history of doing this. And everytime it's happened, people have complained, yet adjusted in a relatively short amount of time. This will be no different.

 

[waquzy]

Wait, the ability to launch *literally anything you want* via app (or more importantly Shortcuts which really makes the button completely customizable) is “no real reason”?

If you want a simple mute, it’s the default and provides feedback on silent or not right in your pocket. No loss in functionality right there as the default. AND YOU CAN CHOOSE TO MAKE IT LITERALLY DO ANYTHING ELSE IF YOU WANT TO.

I really don’t understand viewing the action button as anything but more freedom of choice 🤷‍♂️

Ever heard of accidentally touches, butt-calls? There is a reason why the mute was a switch and not a button. Think about it!

 

[frost_horizon]

It is actually Bixby button from Samsung Galaxy S8

 

[waquzy]

It is actually Bixby button from Samsung Galaxy S8

That was also bloody useless. I think Samsung later changed it into an action button as well and then scrapped it altogether… no surprises there then!

 

[sherwinzadeh]

My question is if you already know that the phone won't suit your needs, then why do you still feel as though you have to buy it? It's really mind boggling. There are still plenty of phones available that will have a mute switch.

I'm a software developer so I always upgrade to make sure my apps run on the latest devices.

This thread is also following the typical troll pattern on here, where the OP makes a statement & then challenges or attacks everyone who provides an answer.

I think it's important to have a discussion about a direction Apple is going which may be a mistake. There have been many including:
• Butterfly keyboard
• Touch Bar
• Removable of MagSafe
These are all on the Mac but I don't want bad design to creep into the iPhone.

 

[Paddle1]

I think it could be useful specifically with the shortcuts functionality. A few weeks back I had to swap back and forth between my two SIMs and had to pin two shortcuts to the lock screen to do so. With the action button it should be easier, in theory at least.

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Ever heard of accidentally touches, butt-calls? There is a reason why the mute was a switch and not a button. Think about it!

We've thought about it. We have come to the conclusion that this is the phone that Apple will release, & people can either get onboard or speak with their wallet & not buy it. Those are the only available options.

I'm willing to bet that many of the people complaining will still be amongst the first to pre-order. It's the same song & dance every year.

 

[frost_horizon]

That was also bloody useless. I think Samsung later changed it into an action button as well and then scrapped it altogether… no surprises there then!

Yes, they removed it entirely after Galaxy S11 I think.

 

[waquzy]

Yes, they removed it entirely after Galaxy S11 I think.

Exactly, because it was bloody useless!!!

 

[onenorth]

I'm a software developer so I always upgrade to make sure my apps run on the latest devices.


I think it's important to have a discussion about a direction Apple is going which may be a mistake. There have been many including:
• Butterfly keyboard
• Touch Bar
• Removable of MagSafe
These are all on the Mac but I don't want bad design to creep into the iPhone.

This change doesn't feel like a showstopper to me, since the functionality is still there and there are several other ways to accomplish ring silencing. I guess you feel like it is a convenience that is being lost, rather than a function?

 

[eyoungren]

We've thought about it. We have come to the conclusion that this is the phone that Apple will release, & people can either get onboard or speak with their wallet & not buy it. Those are the only available options.

I'm willing to bet that many of the people complaining will still be amongst the first to pre-order. It's the same song & dance every year.

Personally, I think some people may be more comfortable than they should be sitting on their ~$1000 phone. When I sit down, my phone goes somewhere else (business card holder, cup holder, table, etc), not my pocket. I've never had a butt-dialing incident because my phone has never been anywhere near my butt when I sit.

 

[waquzy]

I'm a software developer so I always upgrade to make sure my apps run on the latest devices.


I think it's important to have a discussion about a direction Apple is going which may be a mistake. There have been many including:
• Butterfly keyboard
• Touch Bar
• Removable of MagSafe
These are all on the Mac but I don't want bad design to creep into the iPhone.

Luckily Apple realised it was a mistake and since then they have abandoned the Butterfly keyboard, binned the Touch Bar and brought back the MagSafe. So you never know, the mute switch might return in 4-5 years

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Personally, I think some people may be more comfortable than they should be sitting on their ~$1000 phone. When I sit down, my phone goes somewhere else (business card holder, cup holder, table, etc), not my pocket. I've never hat a butt-dialing incident because my phone has never been anywhere near my butt when I sit.

Agreed. Apple implemented the press & hold function on the button anyway to eliminate accidental presses, so his entire point is moot. If your phone screen is locked while in your pocket, then there should be no issues.

 

[sjperformance]

I’m all for the action button. Love it on the ultra watch. Y’all will eventually get used to it and post how much in love you are with it.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

The more I think about it, the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro is going to make my life much harder -- specifically because it replaces the mute switch which is super important. By being a physical switch, you can just feel if you're on mute without taking your phone out of your pocket. This is something I do daily when in meetings and other scenarios where I don't want my phone to ring. With the Action Button, you have to press and hold but you don't know before if it's already on mute or not. Maybe you can feel with haptics -- don't know. But still you're going to have to press and hold just to find out and undo it if it was already mute.

They should have added the Action Button in addition to the mute switch. There's plenty of room.

(Also never liked the power button moving to the right side. I hit that way too often accidentally. Should be on the top like iPhone 1-5. Then you can stand it on it's side too).

Personally I think that I like the idea, but will not know until after using it for a while. I want something to make the camera shutter release more ergonomic, and I hope the new button helps. The mute is irrelevant to me because I only use it once every few months, but I can see why other folks want it to stay.

 

[eicca]

The biggest problem to me is going to be all the accidental presses.

Change volume? Launch camera instead.

Taking photo? Set home scene to “movie night” instead.

 

[whattodo11]

OK so you have to press and hold it just to find and then undo it if it was already in the state you wanted it in.

There’s gotta be a notification if you are on silent or non silent mode?

 

[NT1440]

Ever heard of accidentally touches, butt-calls? There is a reason why the mute was a switch and not a button. Think about it!

That’s what’s great about haptic feedback is you’ll know if you’ve accidentally touched it.

I suspect, given how neurotic Apple is about these kinds of things, they’ve given it some thought…

 

[adrianlondon]

I was assuming it'd be short-press for some self-defined action and long-press to toggle mute. It seems they didn't bother doing that, which is a pity.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Button is better than Switch.

1) Button will be less likely to mute sound or whatever you set it to by accident, since you must long press.

2) If you have minimal nails like I do and have a case on your iPhone, then the Switch isn’t easily flickable.

3) Button is just more versatile than a switch.

 

[antiprotest]

During the keynote they said that the haptic pattern of mute is different than that of unmute

Overblown concern imo

They were never going to keep a switch. Next year these won’t even really be buttons — they’ll be solid state.

Eventually there will be no phone. iPhone will just be a $2000 concept.

CARBON NEUTRAL!!!

 

[DougiePhresh]

It’s a gimmick like the Touch Bar and Dynamic Island and I have both at the moment(iPhone 14 Pro and MBP 16” 2019). Both are as useless as each other, I can see the action button being the same.

I like the Touch Bar on my 2020 MBP. Why does everyone hate the Touch Bar?

And for what it’s worth. I agree with OP … I check if my phone is on ring just by feel at the start of every meeting. Now I won’t be able to do that and instead will have to get my phone out and look at it while the speaker is presenting and it’s going to make me look like an ass :/

 

[KauaiBruce]

People who use the mute botton clearly do not have an apple watch. Neither of mine ring. Vibrating on the watch is all I need. My problem will be trying to decide which function to set it to.

 

[transpo1]

I think the button allows much more flexibility, and many people are never touching the mute switch anyway. Of course, some are, but Apple can’t please everyone

I don’t like the idea of a solid state button, but to be honest, it’s grown on me because almost never do I use the switch. Also, one press to get to camera or voice memos sold me.

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

I think it's important to have a discussion about a direction Apple is going which may be a mistake. There have been many including:
• Butterfly keyboard
• Touch Bar
• Removable of MagSafe
These are all on the Mac but I don't want bad design to creep into the iPhone.

Point taken, but I think the term "bad design" is a bit hyperbolic. The "toggle or button" conundrum is really just a matter of preference. Some might argue that the button is better design because of the added customization element, which iPhones have notoriously lacked.

You clearly have your preference & that is perfectly fine. However, you need to be aware that if you are deadset on upgrading yearly, then that could come with some potentially uncomfortable sacrifices.