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iPhone 7 rumored to include revolutionary new camera, but there’s a catch

Published Jan 27th, 2016 9:48AM EST
BGR

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It’s almost certain that the Apple’s upcoming new iPhone 7 will have an improved camera. Apple trained iPhone users to expect upgrades from every new release, be it a new model or an “S” generation, and the company does have an entire department working on all sorts of camera innovations for future iPhone releases.

The iPhone 7 should be no different in that regard, and offer users an even better camera experience. But if this new report is to be believed, there’s at least one thing about the iPhone 7’s new camera setup that’s really going to make users angry.

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Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities has been very accurate over the years with iPhone predictions. The analyst is back with a new note for investors, seen by 9to5Mac, that further details the iPhone 7’s camera.

According to Kuo, Apple is preparing a dual camera system that should bring optical zoom to the iPhone – a recent patent discovery does detail such a camera setup, so it’s certainly believable.

However, not all iPhone 7 versions will get the dual-camera setup that’s been rumored before for the future of the iPhone. This camera advancement will be reserved for the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus only, the analyst believes. And it might not even make it to all Plus versions, but only to a premium version of the phone.

Kuo says that one of the two cameras will feature optical image stabilization (OIS) and a wide field of view while the second one will be a telephoto lens with a narrower field of view. 9to5Mac reminds us that Apple did purchase a camera tech company (LinX) whose software innovations might be used with a dual-camera setup.

Kuo notes that about 30% of iPhone 7 shipments will be equipped with a dual-camera system. Assuming the report is correct, this would be the first time the regular and “Plus” versions of a new iPhone are significantly different. So far, the only thing iPhone Plus buyers got, aside from the bigger display and battery, was OIS on the main camera.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.