Let’s get one thing straight—this isn’t real. But what if it was? Imagine an iPhone with a new kind of tactile input, something more than just a set of volume and power buttons. Enter the iPhone 18 Concept by NFT Designer, a vision that feels both bizarre and strangely plausible.
If you recall the CMF Phone from last year, its standout feature was a mechanical knob at the bottom corner, allowing users to attach third-party accessories or even swap out the back panel for different color options. This concept for the iPhone 18 takes a similar approach but with a more refined and practical purpose—a rotary dial for precise camera controls.
In recent weeks, we’ve seen phone manufacturers experiment with camera lens attachments at MWC. But what if, instead of detachable lenses, Apple introduced a Focus Dial? The positioning of this knob makes sense—it’s right within reach of your index finger when holding the phone in landscape mode. And interestingly enough, the Camera Control button from previous models is absent in this design, suggesting that this dial could replace it entirely.
We’ve been hearing rumors about Apple moving away from the squared camera bump to an island-style module with the upcoming iPhone 17 series. It’s a move that contradicts Apple’s usual trend of making phones slimmer, but it does hint at a major shift in camera technology.
The Camera Control button on the iPhone 15 Pro models seemed like an experimental stepping stone, and this Focus Dial could be the next evolution. A physical input method would arguably provide a much more intuitive and precise experience than a capacitive or haptic button. At first glance, you might mistake the knob for a volume control, but with volume buttons still present, its function is clearly meant for something else—likely photography.
How Would It Work?
- Rotating the dial could allow seamless switching between lenses.
- Scrolling might control zoom levels with fine precision.
- Pressing the dial could act as a shutter button, making it easier to capture shots while in landscape mode.
It’s an intriguing concept that aligns perfectly with Apple’s long-standing commitment to pushing smartphone photography forward. The only downside? It seems optimized for landscape photography, leaving portrait users at a slight disadvantage—much like the existing Camera Control button.
What’s Next for Apple?
The real iPhone 18 won’t be officially unveiled until late next year, after the iPhone 17 series fully materializes. But what we do know is that Apple is reportedly working on an iPhone Air—a thinner version of its flagship device—as well as a folding iPhone that could arrive between 2026 and 2027.
If Apple does introduce a new form of tactile input for its cameras, it could be a game-changer for mobile photography. While this Focus Dial concept is just a render, it does raise an interesting question: Would you prefer a physical camera dial over digital controls?
via Yanko Design