Dual Camera Said to Be Exclusive to 5.5-Inch iPhone 7

[MacRumors]

Dual cameras will be exclusive to Apple's next-generation 5.5-inch iPhone, according to a new research note issued by respected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

New iPhone shipments to be capped by similar form factor as iPhone 6s & 6s Plus; top hardware upgrade is dual-camera (5.5-inch model only), though many competing models with dual-camera will launch soon, joining others already on the market; first impressions could underwhelm.

Rumors surrounding dual-camera iPhones have gained momentum since January, when Kuo said that Apple has both single- and dual-camera iPhone 7 Plus models in development. Recent reports have been unclear, however, about whether the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 will also have dual cameras.

Leaks surrounding the rumored dual cameras have been limited to a blurry photo of the purported iPhone 7 Plus (or iPhone Pro?) and a possible dual-lens module appropriate for the 5.5-inch smartphone. Apple reportedly received dual-lens camera samples from suppliers for testing purposes in February.

LinX Technology multi-aperture camera modules​

The rumored camera improvements have been linked to Apple's acquisition of LinX Technology, which could lead to "DSLR-quality" photos on iPhones. LinX's multi-aperture cameras are also smaller sized than single-aperture cameras, meaning the iPhone 7 Plus could have a slightly less protruding camera lens.

LinX camera modules have a number of other benefits, including 3D depth mapping, better color accuracy and uniformity, ultra HDR, low noise levels, higher resolution, low costs, zero shutter lag, and a compact design that allows for edge-to-edge displays. A recent video demo provides a good overview of dual-camera technology.

Apple recently patented a dual-camera system consisting of one standard wide-angle lens, similar to what is found in the latest iPhones, and a second telephoto lens capable of capturing zoomed-in video and photos. In a recent video, we visualized what the interface could look like on future iOS devices.

(Top Image: Cameraplex)

Article Link: Dual Camera Said to Be Exclusive to 5.5-Inch iPhone 7

 

[sputnikv]

what's the point?

 

[d0minick]

what a mistake. the fragmentation is nasty. that 5.5 is WAY to large for active people.

My 4.7 even feels slightly large but i've come to enjoy it. Works for business and is comfortable enough during gym sessions and jogs. But fragmenting it with something so important as the camera is such a mistake.

Apples move and im sure i won't hurt them as a departing customer, but if the S8E builds off of the S7, that'll be my next phone.

 

[garylapointe]

It's one thing to have two models of the same size. But if people have to buy a specific size to get a specific feature, I think that's a bad idea...

They have that right now with the image stabilization and I wish it wasn't so.

Leave dual cameras OFF the 16GB models and add it to the $100 more models with more storage (could probably do the same with the 4k. They could call it the iPhone Pro...

Gary

 

[Caliber26]

Ugh. This is total bs, if true. I seriously hope Apple doesn't do this and treats the next phone equal to its larger version. I'm already tempted to go to the iPhone SE because I prefer its size, so there's no way I'm jumping to the Plus version so I would hate to see this feature be exclusive to it.

 

[spiderman0616]

This just in: rumored features on unreleased phone will underwhelm!

 

[rudychidiac]

what's the point?

Could be due to limitations, maybe the dual camera simply doesn't fit in the 4.7 inch iPhone.
Or it could be that Apple is trying to keep the "plus" meaningful, I don't know!
I'm personally going to skip the iPhone 7 no matter what it has, I will wait for 2017.

 

[diddl14]

Smartphones have matured. Anyone expecting a major breakthrough by Apple will likely be underwhelmed..

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

The camera was already better in the plus (OIS), so this comes as no surprise.

But lets hope it is standard after all, and we also don't get an iPhone 7 Pro Plus model, to convolute Apples model listings even more... :S

 

[Steve121178]

The size of the 6s is my limit. I refuse to go any bigger.

 

[garylapointe]

Could be due to limitations, maybe the dual camera simply doesn't fit in the 4.7 inch iPhone.
Or it could be that Apple is trying to keep the "plus" meaningful, I don't know!
I'm personally going to skip the iPhone 7 no matter what it has, I will wait for 2017.

Make it fit. Just don't make the phone so thin to sacrifice features.

Gary

 

[Ludatyk]

what's the point?

Same w/ OIS... To differentiate both models.

I'd just chalk it up to Apple's marketing... pushing users to the bigger model.

 

[rudychidiac]

Make it fit. Just don't make the phone so thin to sacrifice features.

Gary

I doubt the iPhone 7 will be thinner.

 

[bushido]

we all know it will be called iPhone Pro for an additional 100$ starting at 32 GB!

 

[garylapointe]

what's the point?

They article left that out. There has been rumors that one lens was a zoom and one was wide-angle.
I've seen something on using it for focusing too (I think?).

(3D could be fun.)

Gary

 

[swm]

well that mockup looks truly stupid with them protruding black bewbs.

 

[BlankSlate]

Ideally, the only difference between the 7 and 7 Plus should be the screen size.

 

[garylapointe]

I doubt the iPhone 7 will be thinner.

Not suggesting that it'll be thinner.
I'm saying don't make it too thin to sacrifice function.

Gary

 

[Mr. Donahue]

Ugh! Again. I don't like this.

 

[Dydegu]

I have a DSLR, so I'm okay with this.

I'll likely go from the 6 plus to a 4.7" 7 or 7 plus, so I'm glad any cost associated with this dual camera won't be pushed to those models.

 

[gorkt]

Lame. I don't want a giant phone.

 

[FSMBP]

I bet it will still come with 16GB because accordingly to the Apple die-hards on MacRumors, "Most people rarely use more than 16GB".

 

[b0nd18t]

A lot of people are going to be upset about this but stop and think about it for a second. Do you REALLY need this feature?

 

[Kobbr]

Similar form factor?

Why not make it smaller like the LG G4 or GS7

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

I've never been more excited to not buy the iPhone 6SS, and wait for the 2017 iPhone.

Edit - since some folks are claiming its due to size restriction, and taking cue from another article that iPad Pro 9.7" received the 6S+ camera so does that rumour the dual camera setup for all next gen iPad's unless there is a size restriction there too somehow.