Apple to Produce Single iPhone 7 Plus Model With Dual-Lens Camera and 3GB RAM

Wednesday May 11, 2016 9:57 am PDT by Juli Clover
iphone_7_plus_rearApple plans to produce a single iPhone 7 Plus that will ship with a dual-lens camera and 3GB of RAM to compensate for increased image processing demands, according to a new report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that walks back from past reports suggesting Apple would produce two iPhone 7 Plus models.

Earlier rumors from Kuo indicated Apple was working on multiple versions of the iPhone 7 Plus -- a model with a single lens camera to match the iPhone 7 and a second "Pro" model with a dual-lens camera -- but Kuo now believes this is no longer Apple's plan as a single-camera iPhone 7 Plus would undermine demand for the dual-camera model. Apple is expected to continue producing two iPhone models, in 4.7 and 5.5-inch sizes.
In a previous report, we said the new 5.5-inch iPhone model (referred to as iPhone 7 Plus), to be launched in 2H16, may come in two versions: one with rear single-camera and the other with rear dual-camera. However, we now believe Apple (US) will only roll out the dual-camera version in 2H16, with 3GB RAM to meet image processing requirements, and we estimate shipments of this model in 2016F of 20-30mn units.
Kuo does not foresee any significant supply bottlenecks that would affect production of the dual-camera iPhone 7 Plus, but because of design constraints, he predicts optical zoom capabilities, which have been previously rumored for the device, will be limited.

Today's report from Kuo follows the leak of design blueprints said to be sourced from Apple supplier Catcher Technology, which suggest that the iPhone 7 Plus will also exclusively feature the Smart Connector that first debuted in the iPad Pro.

Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
[ 140 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
avanpelt
48 months ago
Oh, how I wish the only difference between the 4.7" and 5.5" phones was the screen size.
Rating: 32 Votes
Avatar
keysofanxiety
48 months ago
Just what everybody wanted - an iPhone line even further fragmented and confusing for the consumer.
Rating: 26 Votes
Avatar
Howyalikdemapls
48 months ago

I'm sorry, but I need to ask this because I see it so often and do not understand it. Why do you place such an emphasis on the camera.

I'm not faulting you for it. There are many people who do this. I'm just trying to understand.

I admit that the camera is a very useful device to have on a smartphone. But I don't understand the emphasis on the quality that many people place on it.

It seems to me that smartphone camera quality achieved "good enough" status several years ago.

I use my phone as my primary camera. I have a DSLR but it is so impractical to carry with me. The iPhone takes pretty good pictures and definitely good enough to take pictures of your food for Instagram or whatever, but I take photos of my wife and I on vacation. These are our memories captured for life. Some will be framed.
Rating: 17 Votes
Avatar
gaximus
48 months ago

Oh, how I wish the only difference between the 4.7" and 5.5" phones was the screen size.

Agreed, the only reason I upgrade every year is for the better camera. I don't want a 5.5" device.
Rating: 11 Votes
Avatar
Dr.Chroma
48 months ago
3 GB of Ram? Surely Apple won't breach beyond 2GB. How about scrapping 16GB iPhones and come to the realization we need 32 GB as a base model. 16 GB is antiquated.
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
LordQ
48 months ago
Flop.

Who are we kidding, they will sell like hotcakes and Apple will not get their wake up call.
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
AustinIllini
48 months ago

iPhone is back with protrusions and warts aplenty!
Not even bothering to get the design clean anymore.
Oh dear me, Apple... What's broken at HQ?

Looks okay to me. I'm not willing to sacrifice camera quality to have the device sit flat on a table.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
bpeeps
48 months ago
Wait for 2017 or upgrade from the measly 1GB RAM in my 6 Plus? This is my first world dilemma.
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
BvizioN
48 months ago
It doesn't matter, if it still have these super thick bezels that make it look like a smaller iPad mini. I have compared side by side galaxy s7 edge with iPhone 6s and shockingly they look same size, even though iPhone 6S have smaller display.
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
bpeeps
48 months ago

I'm sorry, but I need to ask this because I see it so often and do not understand it. Why do you place such an emphasis on the camera.

I'm not faulting you for it. There are many people who do this. I'm just trying to understand.

I admit that the camera is a very useful device to have on a smartphone. But I don't understand the emphasis on the quality that many people place on it.

It seems to me that smartphone camera quality achieved "good enough" status several years ago.

I have a DSLR, but there are a lot of places it's impractical or burdensome to take. A camera in your phone mitigates those concerns. Some people enjoy taking quality photos. Some people want the best camera possible in the device they carry with them every day, all the time. Everyone has different needs, hobbies, desires and that's not a really difficult concept to understand.

Edit: Grammatical error.
Rating: 6 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]