Apple’s iPhone 7 May Have Dual Cameras, Would Fix Protruding Lens Problem From 6/6 Plus Models
Apple typically only releases a refresh of its iPhone line in the year after a major new release, meaning they could be working on some sort of iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus tweaks, but a recent acquisition by the company have people looking ahead to what may be coming in next year’s expected iPhone 7.
Apple bought camera company LinX in April, which could signify they are looking to give the iPhone 7 dual cameras. While dual cameras are still a relatively new feature, the HTC One released in early 2014 showed why it could be useful. The HTC One reserves one of the cameras for regular image capturing and the other is used for recording depth perception data. The benefits to this setup in Apple’s iPhone could allow users to tweak the focus of an image after the fact, simply by using the iPhone’s screen. It can also add a 3D effect to images. But perhaps more importantly, it could help Apple solve the problem of its camera lens protruding from the back of the phone like it does in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models.
Business Insider reported that business analyst firm Macquarie said the acquisition should help Apple solve all of its iPhone camera issues and desires.
“LinX is an Israeli CCM maker with leading technologies in multiple sensors, which provides better performance in terms of low light shooting, HDR, refocusing, color fidelity, and shutter lag…Apple should be able to reduce the height of CCM by replacing one large sensor with multiple smaller ones (so no more protruding cameras), reduce noise, improve sensitivity and sharpness in a low-light environment, and enable 3-D object modeling.”
If the iPhone 7 uses this sort of technology, it would be an improvement on a camera that is already deemed one of the best on the market. CNET rated the iPhone 6 camera one of the four best on the market so far in 2015 earlier this week.
Slate reported that a Taiwanese publication, Business Weekly, was researching future iPhones and reported that Apple has been working on dual cameras in iPhones for years with no success, but that the acquisition of LinX may change all of that for the iPhone 7. Apple could now have the means to revolutionize their camera produce enough components for an iPhone launch.
If Apple sticks to its typical iPhone release schedule, it may not introduce any of this new technology this year, but could be ready to go with the launch of the iPhone 7, presumably in 2016.
[Image via Forbes]
