Oppo already copied the iPhone 16’s biggest new feature

As a staunch supporter of Android, I must admit when Apple hits the mark. I envy the plethora of MagSafe accessories available and have urged Android manufacturers to adopt Qi2 technology. The touch-sensitive Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 is undeniably impressive, and it seems Oppo agrees, as they have incorporated a similar feature on the new Find X8 Pro.

The Find X8 Pro places a significant emphasis on photography, with four rear cameras adorned with Hasselblad branding at the top of Oppo’s Chinese promotional page. Each of these cameras boasts 50 megapixels at various zoom levels and apertures, while the front-facing camera is a remarkable 32MP.

Of particular interest for comparison is the shutter button. Similar to the prominent change in the latest iPhone, the Find X8 Pro includes a dedicated button for capturing photos. This button can detect swipes for zooming in and out, switch between different camera sensors in the background, and perform various functions with different taps. Apple’s implementation is quite impressive—you can explore its functionalities on our sister site, Macworld.

Oppo’s version of the button is discreetly positioned on the right edge of the phone, akin to the Camera Control button. When holding the phone with the rear lenses on the left, your right index finger naturally rests on the shutter position, resembling a traditional camera setup. Double-tapping the button immediately launches the camera, a feature already present in the primary power button on most Android devices.

A YouTuber showcases the capacitive button’s capabilities at the 2:30 mark in the video below. According to auto-translated captions, the button is positioned surprisingly central on the phone’s body, which may affect comfort.

It’s important to note that the concept of a dedicated camera or shutter button for phones is not new. Physical camera controls date back to the early days of integrating cameras into “dumb” phones, and devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Zoom series have experimented with incorporating point-and-shoot camera features into smartphones. Some designs, such as the Galaxy S Active and Lenovo/Motorola’s ThinkPhone, feature extra action buttons, while gaming phones utilize capacitive or physical side buttons for gaming triggers. Many Android phones enable users to capture photos using the volume buttons as a makeshift shutter button, indicating a demand for tactile feedback in photography.

Lewis Painter/Foundry

The Find X8 Pro boasts a plethora of high-end features, including a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor, rapid 50-watt wireless charging (80 watts wired) for its 5910mAh battery, a 6.78-inch display, and a host of software enhancements from Oppo. The phone is set to launch on October 30th in China, with a global release expected later, priced at 5300 yuan (approximately $745 USD) for the base 12GB/256GB model.

The more affordable Find X8, without the Pro moniker, shares many hardware components with its premium counterpart but lacks the capacitive camera control button and one rear camera module. Similar to Samsung and Google, Oppo reserves the most advanced camera features for its flagship device.

In China, manufacturers like Oppo do not shy away from borrowing design elements from Apple, as the local market seems more accepting of such practices. While global competitors may be more cautious due to Apple’s litigious nature, the concept of physical camera controls predates the company’s existence, making it challenging to patent or copyright. While replicas like the Find X8 Pro’s button may not reach markets outside of China, a broader adoption of robust physical control options in smartphones is plausible.

Just as drivers have discovered the limitations of an all-touch interface, phone users are realizing the value of tactile feedback in their devices.