Apple’s New Dual-Lens Camera System Will Remain an iPhone Plus Exclusive (At Least Through 2017)

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Of all the uber-cool new iPhone 7 features that Apple showcased last Wednesday morning, by far one of the most prolific among them would have to be the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus’ all-new dual-lens camera setup, which features two 12 MP shooters — one capable of capturing vivid photos using Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), complete with 10x digital zoom; in addition to a secondary, telephoto lens which aims to add depth of field and other forthcoming features to your photos.

And while the dual-lens camera system, in and of itself, is certainly not a new concept in the smartphone scene — see LG’s G5, and Huawei’s Honor 8, for instance — it’s been rumored, according to a research note originally obtained by AppleInsider, that the advanced imaging module will remain an exclusive to the premium ‘iPhone Plus’ variant — at least through the 2017 iPhone refresh cycle.

Well-connected KGI Securities analyst, Ming Chi Kuo, mentioned in a note to investors last week, due to cost, application, and Apple’s inherent product diversification strategy — only the higher-end, 5.5-inch iPhone Plus models will be outfitted with the dual-lens camera unit moving forward, at least for the next year. Not only would such a move limit the prevalence of the dual-lens camera module to between 30 and 40 percent of all iPhone shipments, however; but the claim, as Kuo was quick to note, contrasts with previous rumor mill speculations that suggested Apple would be outfitting its entire line of 2017 iPhones with dual-lens cameras.

“While an attractive addition for avid picture takers and professional photographers, the iPhone 7 Plus dual-camera is not a mass-market killer application yet,” according to Kuo. “Along with its high cost (estimated at over US$30-40), and the necessity for Apple to enhance the added value of high-end iPhone models, we expect only high-end new iPhone models to have a dual-camera next year.”

Kuo also referenced Apple’s switch to a noticeably diversified pair of iPhone offerings with the debut of the iPhone 6 back in 2014 — most notably, the standard 4.7-inch model, and the more premium, 5.5-inch ‘Plus’ offering. Yet it’s not just the display size that differentiates the two models; but also, the number of purely advanced features packed into the iPhone Plus.

Therefore, much akin to how the iPhone 7 Plus features 1 GB more RAM this year than the standard iPhone 7, it would only make sense for Apple to maintain at least some form of exclusivity to the iPhone Plus moving forward, right?

What do you think about Apple’s decision to make the dual-lens camera an iPhone Plus exclusive? Let us know in the comments! 

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