The way cool LiDAR feature could be coming to all models of the upcoming iPhone 13 this year. With the release of the iPhone 12 units, Apple incorporated the LiDAR scanner feature into the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro Max models. A recent supply chain report cites that Apple could expand this to all models of the iPhone 13, incorporating it into the back camera array for depth-sensing features..
The report focused broadly on the time-of-flight sensor industry, specifically on the supply chain side of things and adoption among Android manufacturers. Nestled in the report, however, is a tidbit that the LiDAR scanner currently exclusive to the iPhone 12 Pro will come to “all 2021 iPhone models” this year with the iPhone 13:
Apple has adopted dToF LiDAR scanner in iPad Pro and iPhone 12 Pro series, and is expected to apply the scanner technology to all its 2021 iPhone models, which will remain available with Face ID sensors, the sources said.
The report also indicated that Apple has signed a deal with Sony that guarantees the incorporation of LiDAR scanner in the iPhone through at least 2023:
Sony, in the supply chain for Apple devices, reportedly has signed a three-year contract with Apple to offer a new-generation near infrared (NIR) CIS with a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array for dToF LiDAR scanner, indicating that Apple will adopt the scanner in iPhones and other devices through at least 2023, the sources said.
It’s unknown as to what specific features will surface in a next-gen iPhone please, but this could bring a pretty amazing feature to all of the models.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.