Report: Apple iPhone 13 series are equipped with LiDAR scanner

Among the iPhone 12 series announced by Apple at the press conference last fall, only Pro and Pro Max have LiDAR scanner, but this year, Apple may bring LiDAR sensors to the entire iPhone 13 series.

A supply chain report obtained by Digitimes stated that Apple will equip the entire iPhone 13 series with a LiDAR scanner this year, not just the “Pro” model. The report pointed out that Apple and Sony signed an agreement to ensure that LiDAR will be applied to the iPhone at least before 2023.

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.

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.

The lidar system can use light pulses to accurately measure the distance from the object to the camera lens. Combined with data analysis, the camera can autofocus more accurately and better distinguish the foreground from the background to create effects such as portrait mode. The depth camera will also help augmented reality applications to place digital objects in real environments more realistically.

Via: 9to5mac