Oliver Haslam·

Report: 2020 iPhone Camera To Get Time-Of-Flight 3D Sensing Capability

Apple is working with its suppliers on plans to bring a new time-of-flight 3D sensor to its 2020 iPhone according to a new report by the notoriously hit and miss, DigiTimes.

The report does however match previous ones by the more reliable Ming-Chi Kuo which had the same timescale in mind.

This implementation would allow Apple to add a ToF module to the rear of its 2020 iPhone in an attempt to improve 3D photo captures. It would also allow for new augmented reality features that themselves have been rumored for some time.

While there has been plenty of talks about the potential for some form of augmented reality headset, the iPhone is likely to be the first use of such technology.

Currently Apple’s depth sensing for use in things like Portrait Mode use two rear-facing cameras to approximate distances. While this works for the most part, something like a ToF sensor would allow for more accurate 3D mapping. That in turn would potentially make for a better Portrait Mode alongside the aforementioned augmented reality possibilities.

The 2019 iPhones are expected to feature three cameras around the back of the device but there will be no ToF system this year. Instead it looks like 2020 is the year where there will be bigger changes to the iPhone’s camera system. This year’s addition of a new wide-angle lens will certainly be of benefit in specific situations, however.

Apple is expected to announce its 2019 iPhones this September with three new models likely to be shown off.

(Source: DigiTimes)

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