In all modesty, why would someone want a camera-less iPhone 4S? Did it ever crossed their mind that the integralcamera not only in Apple’s but in all other camera based phone, smartphone or not, is as important as its battery? But then again, we have lived where mobile phones didn’t have any clickers and we were able to survive that generation. And apparently, a Singaporean manufacturer still believes in old school devices with a modern, smartphone twist.
M1, the Singaporean operator mentioned above recently announced the availability of its ‘non-camera’ iPhones. For those non believers, the Singapore Defense Ministry (MINDEF) has issued a directive that servicemen shall only use smartphones without a camera or those phones whose cameras has been removed. M1’s approach has been approved by the MINDEF and is apparently on the verge of bringing in a new market to those who have to serve a mandatory two year service in the Army.
According to M1, both front and rear cameras have been completely taken out – not just covered or something, but completely removed from their iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S variants and ‘may not be reinstalled’. The manufacturer also added that they will issue a certificate on each camera-less iPhone to prove that it is MINDEF approved.
The ‘downgraded’ version of the iPhone 4 and 4S is bundled with a two year plan from the operator without the option of buying the said device at retail price and will cost $38 more than its camera equipped counterpart. The service is also not available to current iPhone users, meaning that you can’t just bring in your iPhones just to get the camera out of your device. M1 also added that a one year warranty under a third party vendor will be offered but with an additional $321 (Singapore Dollar) more and will follow the warranty terms given by Apple.
Singapore’s SingTel and StarHub are also clinging on the camera-less iPhone and are talking with MINDEF about the idea of releasing the same device. Both have not released a confirmed release dates and prices.
