iPhone 12 to get LiDAR Depth Camera
According to a picture circulating on the net, Apple will also install the new LiDAR depth sensor in smartphones. This would make the augmented reality much more accurate.
- LIDAR can do that
- The Latest iPhone deals
- Dry run in the iPad
- What we know about iPhone 12 Series
- iPhone 12 Release Date
iPhone LIDAR latest
Apple had success with the LiDAR depth camera in the iPad Pro, they have now invested in it in the next iPhone release.
Corresponding rumours feed on a picture that has recently been circulating on the net and is said to come from Apple's documents. It shows a camera element for an iPhone that has been expanded by an additional sensor - in addition to the three previous lenses (wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, telephoto) from the iPhone 11 Pro, another element can be seen at the bottom right.
LIDAR can do that
"Light Detection and Ranging" modules made it possible to capture the environment more precisely, which is why they are often referred to as 3D sensors. Apple first integrated the technology in the iPad Pro 2020 in mid-March.
With the tablets, users can get a more precise augmented reality experience and the device can better capture objects in the room - for example with Apple's own tape measure app, which works faster and more accurately.
There had already been speculation that Apple might, for the first time, give its iPhone 12 series, which is currently expected in September, a 3D scanner for the rear camera. There is currently a similar technology on the front with the True Depth module, which is used for face recognition and for features such as Apple's Animoji function.
The Latest iPhone deals
Dry run in the iPad
The leaker from which the LiDAR image originates has previously provided correct information about Apple products. The installation of LIDAR technology in more and more devices fits in with Apple's previous strategy. The company hopes for new opportunities from augmented reality technology, which one day could also lead to AR glasses from Apple.
In a report by the US magazine Wired at the end of March, it was said that the LiDAR sensor in the iPad Pro was a "dry run" which was of central importance for Apple's augmented reality future.
The LiDAR scanner in the iPad Pro 2020 can detect the distance to objects at a distance of up to 5 meters, thus enabling new augmented reality applications - Apple's measuring tape app, which is intended to determine the size, has already been adapted, as mentioned.
What we know about iPhone 12 Series
Apple has already confirmed the release of four models of iPhone 12. There will be the two basic models and then the two high-end models just like they did with the iPhone 11. The two basic versions will have smaller screen sizes of 5.4-inch and 6.1inch whereas the Pro and Pro Max will have screen sizes of 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch.
The table below gives a full breakdown of what we know about the iPhone 12 series:
| SPECIFICATION | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Max | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $699, $799 | $799, $899 | $999, $1,099, $1,299 | $1,099, $1,199, $1,399 |
| Display | 5.4in OLED | 6.1in OLED | 6.1in OLED (10-bit colour) | 6.7in OLED (10-bit colour) |
| Processor | A14 Bionic | A14 Bionic | A14 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 6GB | 6GB |
| Camera | 12MP wide and ultra-wide | 12MP wide and ultra-wide | 12MP wide, ultra-wide, telephoto + LiDAR | 12MP wide, ultra-wide, telephoto + LiDAR |
| Design | Aluminium, smaller notch | Aluminium, smaller notch | Stainless steel, same notch | Stainless steel, same notch |
iPhone 12 Release Date
The iPhone 12 won’t be going on sale until a few weeks later than expected, this is due to delays in production caused by the COVID pandemic. It has been rumoured that an announcement of the iPhone 12 range will take place on Tuesday 13th October (Apple have a track record of making announcements on a Tuesday).
Pre-orders for the basic models, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max will open the same week, most likely on Friday 16th October, they will then be shipped the following week. However, for the top-end models, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max apparently won’t be available for pre-order or shipping until mid-November.
