Apple.pro has posted photos comparing parts of the iPhone 5 camera components alongside the iPhone 4 camera components. (via 9to5mac) Notably, the iPhone 5 rear camera does not come with an integrated Flash attached to it. This would suggest that the case photo posted earlier today may be accurate, and that the next generation iPhone's camera flash will be located separately from the camera.
Apple.pro offers this photoshop mockup of the camera and flash in separate locations:
Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by Eric Slivka
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking!
Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27.
During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14.
iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update.
Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries.
In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
I don't know anything about photography, but if moving the flash provides a better picture, hooray for us all.
In dusty environments, it minimizes back-scatter increasing contrast and color saturation. Likewise, keeping the flash separated from the entrance pupil helps minimize red-eye.
It will increase cost since it will make a single module 2 modules and a single large hole 2 smaller holes. Might be why others don't do this and instead simply add MP. Adding MP is literally free and on these small sensors degrades IQ substantially; easily influenced spec miesters, however, don't really care.
Steve jobs on the new flash - on stage - black turtleneck..
"so our friends in the industry have been placing the flash close to the lens creating washed out photos. Well we said we can do this better. Well we've been working out butts off on this new flash - looks great - no red eye - no washed out look - we call it - iflash - isn't that great guys?"
I don't know anything about photography, but if moving the flash provides a better picture, hooray for us all.
Actually it does, the further away the flash source is from the camera, the better. That's why professional flashes are quite tall and sit high above the camera, or some professionals even use cables to be able to place the flash further away. This allows for more natural shadows, as you rarely have the sun coming from right next to your eyes.
There's nothing wrong with shadows, as they make the subject look more real and less "flat". You get a "flat" effect from flashes due to the fact that the light source is too close to the lens, thus lighting the subject from the center and creating a very thin contour with a sharp shadow, which is very unnatural.
Though the placement of the flash is still very close to the camera, it won't change much. It would need to be 20-30 cm away to for a noticeably better effect, but the iPhone isn't big enough for that :D