Re: 2020 IPhone Models To Include 3D ToF Sensor In Rear Camera Setup: Report

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Clotilde Moralas

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Jul 16, 2024, 2:44:24 PM7/16/24

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Apple is yet to announce this year's iPhone models, but we're already seeing a lot of rumours about the iPhones expected to launch in 2020. Most of these reports have been based on inputs from the supply chain and should be taken with a grain of salt. A fresh report suggests that Apple could be planning to use time-of-flight 3D sensing camera system for the rear camera setup of the next year's iPhone models.

According to a report by Digitimes, Apple is planning to use VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) time-of-flight (ToF) sensors on the rear camera of 2020's iPhone models. This setup is similar to the TrueDepth camera setup that's present in current flagship iPhone models, but on the front.

2020 iPhone Models to Include 3D ToF Sensor in Rear Camera Setup: Report

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A previous report from well-known Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, stated that Apple will introduce time-of-flight 3D rear cameras on the iPad models scheduled to launch early next year. As of now, the current flagship iPhone models use a multi-camera setup to sense depth. A ToF VCSEL 3D sensor could make things even better.

VCSEL is currently used in a number of consumer electronics products. It's a semiconductor that emits infrared light and is primarily used to enable augmented reality-based applications and range finding. If this rumour turns out to be true, Apple's 2020 iPhone models could feature some powerful rear cameras, capable of capturing accurate 3D data.

The iPhone 14 Pro back camera module includes main, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras and, for the first-time, features action-mode. The main camera and the telephoto camera of the iPhone 14 Pro feature second generation Sensor-shift Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). OIS applies stabilization to the image sensor rather than the heavier lens to precisely control motion in X and Y direction while maintaining sharpness and canceling both low and high frequency disturbances like hand movements or car vibrations. The action mode enables the video to adjust to shakes, motions, and vibrations when the video is being captured mid-action.

The iPhone 14 Pro also features a LiDAR sensor similar to the one featured in the iPhone 13 Pro series that enhances AR experiences and improves camera performances drastically by enhancing low-light focus, up to six times faster. The new Adaptive True Tone Flash includes an array of nine LEDs that change pattern and intensity based on the chosen focal length.

There are few noticeable physical differences between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. One of the first noticeable differences is the smaller notch on the front side which is up to 20% smaller than previous generations. The rear camera lenses on the iPhone 13 Pro Max are much larger than iPhone 12 Pro Max in order to account for the camera improvements which we will discuss in detail in the camera section. The physical buttons on the side edge and the sim card tray are placed slightly higher compared to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Further, same as last year, the Pro models have a stainless steel frame compared to the aluminum frame for non-pro models.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max also features LiDAR sensor introduced with iPhone 12 Pro series for enhanced augmented reality experiences and also improves camera performances drastically by enhancing low light focus, up to six times faster in low light conditions. Apple introduced night mode portrait photos starting from iPhone 12 Pro series thanks to the presence of LiDAR sensor which enables advanced depth mapping technology. The LiDAR sensor is present at the back of the iPhone 13 Pro Max near the camera lenses, about the same size as the flash. The rear LiDAR sensors work up to a range of 5 meters. This LiDAR sensor seems similar to the one present in the last generation devices.

With the base iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, Apple didn't really change the camera setup all that much compared to the iPhone 13 range. But a report from industry analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) states that the sensors on the iPhone 15 base models will get a big upgrade. New 48-megapixel sensors will replace the 12-megapixel sensors seen on the standard iPhone 14, allowing for improved image quality and better digital zoom. Apple's Pro models are the only iPhones that currently have 48-megapixel sensors.

Pu's report also says the phones will use a stacked CMOS sensor technology that can capture more light than previous designs. The more light captured by a sensor, the better images it can produce. It's interesting to see Apple putting so much new tech inside its base models, rather than forcing keen photographers to opt solely for the Pro models.

Apple is expected to announce its new iPhones in early to mid-September. Apple typically puts its products on sale within the following couple of weeks, but some rumors suggest the company is already facing delays. The Pro Max model may be delayed until October, as reports suggest Sony is struggling to meet demand for its camera sensors, according to an analyst speaking to 9to5Mac.

According to a report by Mac Otakara (via Apple Insider), Apple's next-generation iPad Pro could adopt a triple-camera setup, whereas the 10.2-inch entry-level iPad may sport a dual-camera sensor, which would be similar to that seen on the iPhone XS.

Coming back to the report, this would be the first time that Apple will feature multi-sensor rear-facing cameras on its iPads, if it does so, that is. Up until now, even the most expensive iPad only comes with a single-lens rear camera. The latest iPad Pro features a 12 MP sensor at the rear. Reportedly, the camera setup on the new iPad will include a wide-angle and telephoto lens.

Designs first implemented by Apple have been replicated by other vendors several times. These include a sealed body that does not allow replacing the battery, a lack of the physical audio connecter (since the iPhone 7 from 2016), a screen with a cut-out area at the top for the earphone and front-facing camera and sensors (colloquially known as "notch"; since the iPhone X from 2017), the exclusion of a charging wall adapter from the scope of delivery (since the iPhone 12 from 2019), and a camera user interface with circular and usually solid-colour shutter button and a camera mode selector using perpendicular text and separate camera modes for photo and video (since iOS 7 from 2013).[184][185][186][187][188][189]

Typically smartphones have at least one main rear-facing camera and a lower-resolution front-facing camera for "selfies" and video chat. Owing to the limited depth available in smartphones for image sensors and optics, rear-facing cameras are often housed in a "bump" that is thicker than the rest of the phone. Since increasingly thin mobile phones have more abundant horizontal space than the depth that is necessary and used in dedicated cameras for better lenses, there's additionally a trend for phone manufacturers to include multiple cameras, with each optimized for a different purpose (telephoto, wide angle, etc.).

The Nextbase 622GW has a single, front-facing camera with 4K resolution (unlike with our top pick, its 1080p interior and rear cameras must be purchased separately). Both during the day and at night, it can capture crucial visual information such as street signs, license plate numbers, and even car makes and models in vivid detail. Although its 140-degree FOV is a bit narrower than that of the Vantrue N4, that amount is still within our ideal range for viewing as many objects as possible at the same time.

Viofo has released several models since our last round of testing, including the A139 Pro 3CH. It has a 4K front camera in addition to 1080p rear and interior cameras, and many of the same premium features found in our top and upgrade picks. We plan to test it as soon as we can.

The Viofo A129 Pro Duo has a 4K front camera and a 1080p rear camera. It offers a good mix of features (including GPS tracking, 24-hour parked-car monitoring, and app connectivity), but in our tests it was much more difficult to set up and use compared with less-expensive models offering the same capabilities.

The Nikon Z30 is a 20.2MP APS-C mirrorless camera designed for visual content creators wanting to take the leap from shooting with their smartphone or compact camera. It includes many familiar elements from Nikon's existing 'DX' models but with more focus on vlogging than stills.

The Z30 is Nikon's third APS-C mirrorless camera to use the company's Z-mount. These smaller sensor models, called 'DX' by Nikon, have all been aimed at young content creators, but the Z30 shows the most commitment to that cause with an emphasis on vlogging and video streaming.

The button selection Nikon includes is enough to offer all the customization you could want in a camera this size, and the menu is easy to navigate without getting lost. I particularly liked the placement of the two customizable dials: one on the front of the grip beneath the shutter release and a shoulder dial on the rear of the camera near your thumb. They're right where I need them when shooting, and I don't have to fumble around while holding the camera with a single hand.

In the midst of speculation surrounding potential delays in the launch of the iPhone 15 series, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed intriguing information about the rear camera configuration of both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Let's delve into the camera specifications of these highly anticipated upcoming iPhone models.

According to a leak from Weibo's Digital Chat Station (reported by PhoneArena), the iPhone 15 base models will feature a 48MP camera with a smaller 1/1.5-inch sensor, an upgrade from the iPhone 14's 12MP camera with a 1/1.7-inch sensor. However, the Pro models are expected to maintain their competitive edge with larger sensors.

Some phones, like the iPhone 14 Pro, have three rear-facing cameras, while others, like the Pixel 6a have one camera -- relying primarily on computational photography. Computational photography is the use of computer processing in cameras to make a better-looking image beyond what the lens and sensor could traditionally pick up in one shot. All smartphones use some level of computational photography because they don't operate like shutter-based cameras.