Apple is widely rumored to include a ToF camera sensor on its iPhone 12 lineup due to launch later this year. A new report from 9to5Mac now details that the company plans on including the ToF sensor only on the iPhone 12 Pro lineup.
This ToF sensor comes with an infrared projector to capture point clouds in the environment and generate 3D models, and essentially bring in more accurate depth information. A recent report also suggests that the iPhone 12 line-up will sport a 64-megapixel main camera, a big jump from the 12-megapixel sensors found on the iPhone 11 series. There's also rumoured to be a large 4,440mAh battery this time around.
The report is based on the code found in an internal build of iOS 14. It points to the 2020 iPhones carrying the codename “d5x” which would make sense since the iPhone 11 lineup carried the codename “d4x.” Of all the models listed, only two of them feature a ToF sensor which points to them possibly being the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. This would mean that these phones would come with a quad-camera system which apart from the ToF sensor would include a primary shooter, a telephoto sensor, and an ultra-wide angle shooter.
Like the TrueDepth camera system used for Face ID on the iPhones, the ToF sensor will also feature an IR sensor which will allow it to generate 3D models of the subject in front of them. While we have seen quite a few Android smartphones launch with a ToF sensor, none of them have been put to good use or offer a unique AR experience. Apple will be using the ToF sensor on the iPhone 12 Pro in the Measure app to allow it to more accurately measure the distance and other such calculations.
Apple could use the ToF sensor on the iPhone 12 Pro lineup to deliver new AR features and experiences. A previous report had detailed that the company is working on a new AR app that will be bundled with iOS 14. It looks like Apple is looking to push AR in a big way with its iPhone and iPad Pro lineup this year. The company is rumored to include a ToF sensor on its 2020 iPad Pro lineup as well.