iPhone 5 New Rumor: Removable Camera Lens

iPhone 5 with removal camera lens? (Photo : 9to5Mac)

Apple had not put much emphasis on its iPhone camera yet compared to its Android competitors. But the recent move from the Cupertino-based IT giant company could bring another revolutionary tool in the smartphone market and ward off its challengers.

The new invention, so to speak, from what has been seen so far, could come in the form of removable camera lens

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The iPhone-maker applied for a patent on Thursday for a device, presumably the iPhone 5, with a removal back panel and according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the patent, titled “Back Panel for a Portal Electronic Device with Different Camera Lens Options”, had a picture of what looked like the next generation of iPhone with a removable back cover.

While the patent did not mention that it was for the iPhone 5, what else could it be for? If Apple, indeed, comes out with a new replaceable-camera-lens smartphone, this could attract some of the hard-core smartphone camera users who were disappointed with the previous iPhone models.

“A removable panel is coupled to the case and held in a second defined positional relationship to the case that covers the digital imaging subsystem without the removable panel being directly connected to the digital imaging subsystem,” wrote Apple in the abstract of the patent application.

The next generation iPhone, referred by others as the iPhone 5, is rumored to suffer a substantial change compared to the previous models. The screen size will be 4 inches long, larger than the current 3.5-inch screen, and the design will be elongated. It is also said that the new device will ditch its glass back cover and go with a metal backed casing.  Also, the new iPhone should be ready to run the iOS 6, the newest mobile operating system Apple expects to release this fall. And of course, it is expected to support 4G LTE.

If Apple implements the removable camera lens option to its next iPhone, it could be a game changer for the market.

However, it is too early to confirm this.

Apple, just like many other companies, has applied for patents that have never been implemented.

"Patents are more about running a good business than actually plans for future products. Apple can file patents for good and bad ideas alike,” said Michael Harper.

“When they release a good product they have the patent for it. If some bonehead somewhere decides to create a product that touches you back, guess who has the patent for it? That's right, Apple. Should this bonehead believe so deeply in his product that he decides to shell out some bucks, Apple gets paid and the bonehead gets his product. It's a win-win," Harper said.

Apple has not hinted any sign of iPhone 5 at the Worldwide Developers Conference 2012 that concluded yesterday in San Francisco, but rumors suggest the device will come this fall with the release of the iOS 6.