In mid-March, the first supposed real image of the iPhone 7 Plus was spotted. The picture of the smartphone's back revealed several features of the upcoming device, including repositioned antenna bands, support for the Smart Connector and a dual lens camera.
The credibility of the image was boosted by statements made by well-connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said that the dual camera set-up will be exclusive to the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus.
In a research note, Kuo wrote that the upcoming iPhones will feature the same form factors found in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, with the top hardware upgrade being the dual camera for the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus. The dual camera will not be included in the smaller iPhone 7.
Kuo, however, added that the first impressions of the iPhone 7's dual camera could be underwhelming due to the feature already being made available in smartphones offered by Apple's competitors.
A dual camera set-up for the iPhone 7 Plus will allow for significantly better zoom capabilities for the smartphone, compared to the digital cropping method that Apple is currently using for the iPhone.
In addition, the feature could allow the iPhone 7 Plus to accurately determine the distance of certain objects from the smartphone, which is an important capability for supporting augmented reality apps.
Rumors regarding a dual-lens camera for the iPhone 7 Plus has been intensifying recently. Prior to the leaked image of the iPhone 7 Plus that showed the dual camera, a dual-lens camera module said to be for the smartphone appeared online.
One of the lenses in the module has a wider diameter than the other one, with both lenses connected to flex cables that will connect to the logic board.
Late last month, a report claimed that Apple is thinking about naming the dual-camera version of the iPhone 7 Plus as the iPhone Pro, signifying that the company could be releasing two variants of the iPhone 7 Plus.
