Apple is apparently buying up all the 3D camera component components it can for its next-gen iPhone.
The current rumor has it that the upcoming handset will feature a 3D camera with facial recognition capabilities and that LG Innotek has been acting as the supplier of these parts.
The rumor also coincides with a report that LG Innotek has invested $238.5 million in a facility just for Apple’s orders. Apple’s initial order is worth about $177 million.
Apple and LG Innotek joined forces last year to developer a new 3D camera system for smartphones. This technology could also detect adjustable depth of field photography and be used for facial recognition.
Another report says Apple plans to use a camera coupled with infrared sensors to create 3D facial maps. Those scans could be used for facial recognition along with real time 3D mapping for avatars and 3D selfies.
If implemented, Apple could possibly use this technology as a form of biometric authentication, though this seems a bit far-fetched given the less-than-stellar performance of this feature on competing smartphones and the reliable installed base of Touch ID sensors on current iOS devices.
In addition to the 3D camera, the iPhone 8 is expected to have an OLED screen with a virtual Home button and Touch ID sensors embedded in the display glass, wireless charging support, dual rear-facing cameras, and an A11 processor. The new model will debut this fall along side the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus and will likely ship in short supply a few weeks later.
The next-gen iPhone is expected in September, as per usual, and is rumored to be a pretty substantial upgrade all around.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via The Mac Observer and The Investor