Apple’s rumored iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, which could debut at the company’s Sept. 12 event, are expected to get several major new features. Such additions could include a new titanium finish, slimmer bezels and USB-C charging for the first time, according to Bloomberg.
But there’s one potential update I’m particularly excited about: an Action button. Reports from Bloomberg and MacRumors suggest the new Pro models will inherit the Apple Watch Ultra’s Action key, potentially making it easier to quickly access controls like the flashlight, accessibility settings and voice memos. Similar to last year’s Dynamic Island, which is a mini secondary display for showing bits of information without leaving the home screen, an Action button could make multitasking on the iPhone easier.
The Action button’s arrival on the iPhone 15 Pro could further distinguish Apple’s premium phones from its standard models, making it easier to justify what will presumably be a high price. It would also provide new ways to customize your iPhone.
The Apple Watch Ultra’s Action Button is actually useful
The iPhone 14 Pro Max (left) and iPhone 14 Plus (right).
From the Dynamic Island to a newer processor and a telephoto camera for closer zoomed shots, there are already plenty of features that distinguish the iPhone 14 Pro from the regular iPhone 14. But if the iPhone 15 gains the Dynamic Island, as Bloomberg indicates it will, that list will become shorter. The Action button could provide another new way for Apple to set its standard iPhone apart from its pro-level device.
If Apple does bring the Action button to the iPhone 15 Pro, it would indicate a change in how the company positions its top-of-the-line iPhone. For years, the iPhone Pro was aimed at camera-savvy shoppers that preferred having the option for a larger screen and more internal storage. But when Apple introduced the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro, that started to change. The iPhone Pro wasn’t just about photography anymore; it was also better suited for multitasking. Bringing the Action button to the iPhone 15 Pro would be another step in that direction.
