Apple iPhone 7 Plus may use dual-lens camera made by Sony

There has been a lot of media hype lately around the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, including purported designs, specs, and release date. Now, a recent announcement by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Sony has fuelled speculations that the bigger iPhone 7 Plus may house a dual-lens camera system.

During Sony’s recent Q3 2015 earnings call, company CFO Kenchiro Yoshida mentioned that dual-lens camera modules would be used by major smartphone manufacturers this year. Although he clarified that the slowdown in high-end smartphone sales may impact the production of dual-lens cameras, he also said that 2017 will be the year smartphones with dual camera set-ups take off, as mentioned by Xperiablog.

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Yoshida's statement sits nicely with earlier rumours about Apple testing several prototypes of the iPhone 7, including a variant with dual-lens camera set-up, and lends itself to the belief that the iPhone 7 Plus will indeed include a dual-lens camera, reports 9to5Mac.

Related: More Apple apps could come to Android, says CEO Tim Cook

Apple iPhones already feature camera sensors from Sony, so the speculation isn't too far-fetched. A dual-lens camera module will bring smartphone users significant advantages, including the use of different focal lengths for greater zooms. Two camera lens will also enhance low-light photography.

Apart from a dual-lens camera module, several reports have claimed Apple is testing its iPhone 7 variants with multi-touch Force Touch, in-display fingerprint scanner to eliminate the Home button, and wireless charging technology.

Related: A roundup of 4-inch Apple iPhone 5se specs: Smartphone to boost an improved camera, Live Photos and Apple Pay

Apple is believed to be adding more features to its premium iPhone 7 Plus to set it apart from the iPhone 7. The latest statement by Sony's CFO indicates that the dual-lens camera set-up could be the differentiating factor between the two variants of Apple’s upcoming flagship.

Recent reports also suggest Apple will eliminate its camera bulge on the back, which is present in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s. According to MacRumors, Apple iPhone 7 will feature a flush rear camera and remove the antenna bands on the rear, making it slimmer than ever.

The next iteration of Apple's iPhone 6s, the iPhone 7 is slated to arrive in September. Apple has maintained its tradition of releasing its most coveted devices at an annual fall event scheduled in September every year.

Related: Apple iPhone 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: The battle between two upcoming flagships of 2016