14 DAY TRIAL // One of the best new features of the iPhone 7 is expected to be the dual camera, which, according to some people with knowledge of the matter, might be exclusive to the Plus model coming with a 5.5-inch screen.
And according to a note to investors coming from Nomura, the dual camera system that’s expected to be installed on the bigger iPhone will be produced not only by Sony but also by LG, as the latter has recently signed a deal with Apple because of the production issues experienced by the former.
Sony’s production facility in Kumamoto was damaged by the April earthquake, so the company can no longer reach the levels demanded by Apple. Cupertino has instead tapped LG, which will be responsible for manufacturing part of the camera modules.
“We think Sony may not be able to deliver its full share of dual cameras to Apple due to: (1) lower-than-expected yield, and (2) damage to its production facility from the April earthquake in Kumamoto. As a result, we think LGI will gain majority share of the initial dual camera orders from Apple; hence, we upgrade to Buy,” analysts say.
Camera upgrades on the 4.7-inch model too
Naturally, offering the dual camera configuration only the iPhone 7 Plus could make the standard 4.7-inch model quite outdated, but it turns out that Apple is also preparing some upgrades for the smaller version.
Optical image stabilization, a feature that’s currently exclusive to the Plus model, will make its debut on the 4.7-inch iPhone with the next generation, the analyst says, in an attempt to make the device feel more advanced and to keep up with competition.
This is definitely a worthy upgrade, although we’re pretty sure that everyone would have expected the dual camera to be available on this model too, especially since this is the best-selling model currently in the iPhone lineup.
There is certainly more to come on the iPhone 7 front, and these are just rumors for the moment, but time will tell if the dual camera and OIS upgrades will make their way to the new-generation iPhones.