Apple may soon be dropping the iPhone‘s Action Button, according to unconfirmed social media leaks.
The Action Button, which sits on the left side of the iPhone, just above the volume up and down buttons, replaced the Ring/Silent switch on the iPhone 15 Pro back in 2023. Unlike its predecessor, it requires a long hold to activate.
For readers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, this is a change to watch rather than act on today. The leak points to the second half of 2027, so the Action Button is still standard on current iPhones sold across the region, including through Apple’s official channels and local carriers such as e&, du and STC. Regional stock has historically followed Apple’s September launches, though timing varies by market. Supply is another factor: Apple’s CEO has said iPhone Duo supply is constrained, so check stock before you plan around any new model.
It can be customizedtivating Silent Mode, Focus, Flashlight, Magnifier, Translate, and even third-party apps like the music ID tool Shazam
According to Instant Digital, a prominent leaker on Chinese social media platform Weibo, the button will be officially phased out in the new iPhones starting in the second half of 2027. This means it may be absent from Apple’s next iPhone line-up if it launches in September as usual.
The Action Button will be replaced by an integration with the Camera Control button, which arrived with the iPhone 16 in 2024 and sits on the lower-right side of the iPhone, just under the power/side button.
A single tap on the Camera Control button will open up the Camera app as normal, while a long press will reportedly replace the current function of the Action Button. At present, a long hold of the Camera Control button opens Visual Intelligence.
Apple has not commented on the rumors. But as MacRumors notes, the Action Button wasn’t used in Apple’s latest iPhone release, the iPhone Duo.
The Action Button has proved somewhat controversial since its release, with users on social media like Reddit criticizing its placement and sensitivity.
What this means for Middle East readers
Nothing changes for current iPhone owners in the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Egypt right now. If the rumor holds, the Action Button’s replacement arrives with a future generation, so the buying decision depends more on whether you want a long-press Camera Control shortcut than on anything regional.
We don’t have verified regional pricing for the iPhone Duo or the rumored 2027 models, so we won’t guess at AED, SAR or EGP figures. Check Apple’s official regional store, Jarir, Sharaf DG, Noon or Amazon.ae for current local prices before you buy.
