Singapore Carriers to Offer Camera-less iPhone 4S Models

The Jakarta Globe reports that Apple's three carrier partners in Singapore are making plans to offer iPhone 4S models lacking cameras, with the move said to be targeting members of the military who are prohibited from bringing camera-equipped phones onto their bases. Carrier M1 even briefly offered camera-less models on its website earlier this week.

"iPhone 4S Non Camera" listing on M1's site (Source: CNET Asia)
The camera-less phones are not, however, an officially-sanctioned product offered by Apple, as the carriers are simply removing the cameras from the standard devices before sale and charging a premium for the service. The modification also voids Apple's warranty on the device.

Following a year-long review, Mindef [the Singapore Defense Ministry] recently issued guidelines to its servicemen on the use of such smartphones.

It is understood that servicemen with these phones must show a certificate to prove that their handsets were modified by any one of the local telcos.

Last September, Mindef spokesman Desmond Tan told The Straits Times that Mindef and the SAF were 'exploring ways to allow our personnel to use smartphones while maintaining our current security policy on disallowing personal image-capturing devices to be used on Mindef/SAF premises'.

Singapore is of course not alone in its restrictions on camera-enabled phones, as many other governments and private companies place restrictions on such devices in sensitive locations. But the effort by Singapore's carriers appears to be the most official and organized attempt to address those needs for iPhone users.

Top Rated Comments

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campingsk8er

94 months ago

I like how they're camera-less iPhone has instagram as one of the apps in notification center

Rating: 10 Votes

M-O

94 months ago

I also like how M1's photo shows an iPhone with a forward-facing camera. :rolleyes:

that's not the camera, its the camera window. you'd need a completely redesigned case if you want to remove those.

Rating: 6 Votes

Anonymous Freak

94 months ago

that's not the camera, its the camera window. you'd need a completely redesigned case if you want to remove those.

Or, they could just be using the stock Apple photos, rather than taking their own photos.

Rating: 4 Votes

SimonTheSoundMa

94 months ago

Plenty of corporate and government institutions around the world have a no camera policy. Apple in the UK sell iMacs and MacBook Pro computers that have no cameras or mics.

Rating: 3 Votes

3bs

94 months ago

I'm guessing they do this with both the front and back cameras? Do they replace the back and front with pieces that don't have holes for the camera? I think that would solve the problem of needing a certificate to verify that the cameras were actually removed. If they can make back plates with the apple logo being transparent to allow it to shine then I don't see why they can't make ones without the holes for the camera.

Rating: 1 Votes

justperry

94 months ago

Why make it difficult by removing both camera's while you can do it much easier.

Options:
They could for instance ask Apple to remove the drivers (APi's) for the camera.

Damage the lens with an abrasive solution, yes that is possible.

Use a reasonable low powered laser to damage the sensor chip inside the camera, I am not an expert on this but think a 300 Mw laser would do the trick.

Use a small drill to damage the camera but this one is a bit brutal.

The best of the above options would probably the laser one, I don't own an iPhone but I think the front camera is not accessible so can't be done with the other above options.

Edit : I had the Mw wrong, of course its (300) mW

Rating: 1 Votes

mijail

94 months ago

Or, they could just be using the stock Apple photos, rather than taking their own photos.

Given that the photo shows the weather in Cupertino, yep, that's what it looks like.

Rating: 1 Votes

Teo Morabito

94 months ago

I'll buy it if it's mic less too ;)

Rating: 0 Votes