Apple may be planning to simplify the button layout on its future iPhones by combining the Action button and Camera Control into a single physical button, according to a new rumour from China.

The company introduced the Action button with the iPhone 15 Pro, and it remains available on the iPhone 18 Pro. However, a tipster on Weibo claims Apple intends to start removing the dedicated Action button from new iPhones in the second half of 2027.

Under the reported change, the Camera Control would take over the Action button’s functions. A single press would open the Camera app, while a long press would activate the shortcut assigned to the Action button. The tipster specifically clarified that Apple plans to remove the Action button rather than the dedicated camera control.

The report does not identify which iPhone models will receive the change, leaving it unclear whether Apple intends to introduce the new arrangement across its entire autumn lineup or limit it to selected models. Nevertheless, the reported plan suggests Apple wants to reduce the number of physical buttons without sacrificing their customisable functions.

Previous reports have also suggested that next year’s iPhone Pro models could receive a more substantial redesign, with Apple reportedly testing prototypes featuring quad-curved displays. Whether the proposed button changes will be part of that redesign remains unclear.