The Hunchback of Cupertino Goes to 11 with New Camera Button

Today Apple released updated Smart Battery Cases for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. When the first Smart Battery Case came out in 2015, I dubbed it the Hunchback of Cupertino due to its…hunchiness.

Apple has since refined that design a little by lowering the battery pack portion to the bottom edge of the case, which certainly helps the case appear a little less bulky.

New to the case this year is a dedicated camera button along the power right edge of the case. Apple’s product page notes:

The case features a dedicated camera button that launches the Camera app whether the iPhone is locked or unlocked. A quick press of the button takes a photo and a longer press captures QuickTake video. It works for selfies, too.

That’s actually a nice touch that I wouldn’t mind being on the iPhone itself. Imagine a flush button, much like the side button on an Apple Watch Series 4 or 5. Sure, the volume button work as a manual shutter, but they can’t launch the camera. A dedicated camera/shutter button would be a great addition to 2020’s iPhone lineup.

Beyond that, the Smart Battery Case functions the same as it always has and still includes the ability to use Qi wireless chargers.

I won’t say I am completely surprised by the announcement of this case, because we all know there are some folks who want or need as much battery as they can eek out. But I did almost think that with this year’s stellar battery life improvements in iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro it may not have been necessary.