iPhone 7 Camera Rumors Could Push Buyers to iPhone 7 Plus

The iPhone 7 Plus camera could dramatically change the way you take photos with your phone, but you won’t likely find these massive upgrades on the iPhone 7. Rumors indicate the new iPhone camera system could use a dual-camera system and offer optical zoom for the first time on an iPhone.

Here’s what the latest iPhone 7 rumors tell us about Apple’s plans for better iPhone cameras and why you may need to spend $100 more and carry a bigger phone if you love taking photos with your iPhone.

To say Apple cares about iPhone cameras is an understatement. During 2015 Apple ran a Shot on iPhone campaign to highlight the photos and videos that the iPhone is capable of producing, and the latest report suggests an incredible upgrade for at least one of the 2016 iPhone models.

The latest iPhone 7 release date rumors suggest Apple plans to announce the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus this fall, well after an iPhone 5se or iPhone 6c release date this spring.

Rumors suggest Apple is preparing a new iPhone 7 Plus camera upgrade.

It goes without saying that Apple plans to include a better camera with the iPhone 7, but the latest report suggests the iPhone 7 Plus will deliver the biggest improvements.

Apple already proved that the company favors the camera in the larger iPhone with a 5.5-inch screen by adding Optical Image Stabilization to the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus. This feature is not found on the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s.

The iPhone 7 Plus camera rumors come from Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities. Kuo predicted many of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s features with better than average reliability. These reports are not infallible, but when Kuo claims a feature is coming there is a much better chance that it is something that Apple is working on than from other sources.

In the report shared by AppleInsider we learn that Apple could add a dual camera system to the iPhone 7 Plus that uses LinX technology to take better looking photos. Apple purchased LinX in 2015 for $20 million according to The Wall Street Journal.

The big draw for LinX camera technology is that it reportedly enables better low light performance, improves photos with better exposure and can deliver DSLR quality photos, according to the company’s claims before Apple purchased them. The video above shares some comparisons from the LinX, with additional information.

Additionally Kuo reports that the iPhone 7 Plus may feature a 2-3X optical zoom. So far all iPhone models only support a digital zoom, which compromises the quality of the photo to zoom. Many digital cameras include a 2-3X zoom that gets you closer to the subject without walking closer. Currently the only way to add an optical zoom to the iPhone is with a third-party attachment.

It is still early and there is a chance that such dramatic upgrades may not make it to us in time for the iPhone 7 Plus release date that reports indicate is coming this fall. Kuo’s report indicates that this camera upgrade will skip the iPhone 7 and only come to the iPhone 7 Plus. It is possible that this will be a specific model of the iPhone 7 Plus aimed at prosumers who need a better camera on an iPhone.

You can check out our iPhone 7 feature wishlist below to catch up on what we want from Apple in 2016.

Waterproof iPhone 7

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Apple upgraded the iPhone 6s design to make it withstand water better than the iPhone 6, and there are several Apple patents focused on delivering an iPhone that survives in water, which gives us some hope for a waterproof iPhone 7. With a new design Apple may be able to incorporate a water-resistant iPhone 7 design into a production model allowing users to not worry about using the iPhone near water. If Apple is able to deliver this, it would likely come with caveats such as only providing protection for 30 minutes of submersion for 3-6 feet or less. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is water resistant, working in water including the ability to use the S Pen underwater as demonstrated in the video above.  A report from FastCompany claims that this is a feature Apple will provide with the iPhone 7 by coating the components of the iPhone 7 with a special chemical. We've heard rumors like this before and Apple pulled the feature, so while it is exciting, make sure you check before dropping your iPhone 7 into the water later this year. The latest iPhone 7 rumors from earlier this year suggest Apple will not deliver a waterproof iPhone 7 this year. This back and forth mirrors what we see with many rumors and we may not know until the fall.

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