iPhone 7 Photos Leak: Images Of Concept Prototype Reveal New Laser Camera Feature

Photos of an iPhone 7 concept prototype have surfaced on Weibo, the Chinese social media equivalent of Twitter, according to 9to5Mac. The leaked images supposedly show the 4.7-inch version of the iPhone 7 expected to be released this September 2016.

Look at the prototype design concept yourself, and note the second hole next to the cutout for the camera. According to the Weibo poster the images are sourced from, this extra tiny hole is for a yet-to-be revealed laser autofocus feature. If you’re wondering what the other hole is for, it’s for the iPhone’s microphone (visible currently on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6).

Apple is rumored to be creating a third price tier with the iPhone 7 release, with a new version being the most expensive that includes a dual rear-facing camera setup that allows for higher resolution picture taking, as well as vast improvements for digital zoom technology. Other fun little features are also rumored, such as having the second camera record in slow-mo simultaneously as the regular camera records.

The standard 4.7-inch iPhone 7 is expected to be very similar to the current iPhone 6s, with the same camera bump and physical dimensions, but with redesigned placement of the antenna line bands. The new iPhone supposedly may have Smart Connector ports as well, currently only available on the 12.9-inch and 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

As reported earlier, Apple’s suppliers have begun mass hiring new employees to help manufacture the iPhone 7, supposedly because Apple has designed the next iPhone generation model to be entirely dust and water resistant. This would be in Apple’s best interest, as Apple will be keeping whatever intact and operation iPhones that return to them in the iPhone Upgrade Program.

Hungry for more iPhone 7 rumors? Follow our coverage here.