Apple has added the so-called LiDAR scanner to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max cameras. Now it is reported that the feature will be expanded this year.
In a new article, DigiTimes claims that Apple is planning to expand the LiDAR scanner. According to the article, in addition to the Pro versions, the two cheaper iPhone models will also be equipped with the sensor. Apple itself highlighted the feature at the beginning of last year, with the introduction of the iPad Pro 2020, as follows:
The groundbreaking LiDAR scanner enables features never before possible on a mobile device. The LiDAR scanner measures distance to surrounding objects up to 5 meters away, works both indoors and outdoors, and operates at the photon level at nanosecond speeds. The new depth frames in iPadOS combine the depth points measured by the LiDAR scanner with data from cameras and motion sensors, and on the A12Z Bionic are complemented by computer vision algorithms for a more detailed understanding of a scene.
LiDAR scanner: New contract with Sony?
The Digitimes report focuses largely on the industry in this sector, specifically the supply chain and adoption among Android manufacturers. But the topic of iPhone 2021 was also touched upon. is called it in it:
Apple has introduced the dToF LiDAR scanner in the iPad Pro and iPhone 12 Pro series and is expected to apply the scanner technology to all 2021 iPhone models, which will continue to be available with Face ID sensors, the sources said.
In addition, the report explains that Apple has entered into a deal with Sony that guarantees that LiDAR scanners will be used in the iPhone until at least 2023:
iPhone 2021: Rumors should be treated with caution
Sony, in the supply chain for Apple devices, has reportedly signed a three-year deal with Apple to provide a new generation of near-infrared (NIR) CIS with a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array for dToF LiDAR scanners, suggesting Apple will use the scanner in iPhones and other devices until at least 2023, the sources said.
Although we have already read some rumors about the next iPhone generation, these should be treated with caution at this point. For example, it is currently claimed that Apple wants to expand the 5G standard mmWave to other countries this year. This means that the feature will not only be reserved for the US market, as with the iPhone 12 series. But there are only vague indications of this so far. So it remains to be seen what the rumor mill has to offer in the coming weeks and months. (Image: Apple)
