Introduction
The latest rumors suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will feature an improved LiDAR scanner, enhancing their capabilities for augmented reality and general camera usage.
Advanced LiDAR Sensors
Overview
The LiDAR sensors in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, popularly referred to as the iPhone 15 Pro Ultra, are expected to be significantly upgraded compared to previous generations.
Sony’s Role
Market analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O’Malley from Barclays have reported that Sony will be the primary manufacturer of the components for the LiDAR scanners in the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models, slated for release in 2023.
“Sony could take most, if not all, of the sensor share from this year’s models with the company providing a module, VCSEL, receiver and driver. This is a negative hurdle for both LITE and COHR.”
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also indicated that Sony will replace Lumentum and WIN Semiconductors as the exclusive provider of LiDAR sensors for the iPhone 15 Pro. Sony’s solution is expected to be more energy-efficient, potentially resulting in significantly improved LiDAR scanner performance while consuming less battery. However, these details remain speculative at this stage.
How LiDAR Works
LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that measures distances by illuminating a target with laser pulses and analyzing the reflected light. This technology finds extensive applications in various fields, including geology, forestry, archaeology, and most notably, in autonomous vehicles and augmented reality systems.
The LiDAR Process:
- Laser Emission:
- LiDAR systems begin by emitting rapid pulses of laser light. These laser beams are emitted in a specific direction, often in a sweeping motion.
- Reflection from Target:
- When the laser beam encounters an object or surface, it reflects some of the light back towards the LiDAR sensor. The time it takes for the light to return is precisely measured.
- Time-of-Flight Calculation:
- By measuring the time taken for the laser pulse to return, the LiDAR system calculates the distance between the sensor and the object. This is known as the Time-of-Flight (ToF) principle.
- Creating a Point Cloud:
- The LiDAR sensor performs these measurements rapidly and from multiple angles, generating a dense collection of distance points. This set of data is referred to as a “point cloud.”
Other Rumors about iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro models have a similar design to the iPhone 14 Pro models, but there are some notable changes. Rather than stainless steel, Apple is using a frame made out of a new titanium alloy that’s also used for spacecraft, and there are new titanium colors including white, black, natural, and blue. Titanium is lighter than stainless steel so the iPhone 15 Pro models weigh less than the iPhone 14 Pro models. The titanium has a new matte, brush texture and it is accompanied by an aluminum internal frame.
Specifications Summary
- Finish:
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Yellow
- Pink
- Design:
- Aluminum design
- Ceramic Shield front
- Color-infused glass back
- Capacity:
- 128GB
- 256GB
- 512GB
- Size and Weight:
- Width: 2.82 inches (71.6 mm)
- Height: 5.81 inches (147.6 mm)
- Depth: 0.31 inch (7.80 mm)
- Weight: 6.02 ounces (171 grams)
- Display:
- Super Retina XDR display
- 6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display
- 2556‑by‑1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
- Dynamic Island
- HDR display
- True Tone
- Wide color (P3)
- Haptic Touch
- 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
- 1000 nits max brightness (typical)
- 1600 nits peak brightness (HDR)
- 2000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
- Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant:
- Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529
- Chip:
- A16 Bionic chip
- 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
- 5‑core GPU
- Camera:
- 48MP Main Camera
- Video:
- HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG
- 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording
- 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
- 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
- Extended dynamic range for video up to 60 fps
- Optical image stabilization for video (Wide)
- 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range (iPhone 15 Plus only)
- Digital zoom up to 10x
- Audio zoom
- QuickTake video
- Slow-motion video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
- Time-lapse video with stabilization
- Face ID:
- Enabled by TrueDepth camera for facial recognition
- Apple Pay:
- Pay with your iPhone using Face ID in stores, within apps, and on the web
- Battery:
- Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Wireless charging (works with Qi chargers)
- Charging via USB to computer system or power adapter
- Operating System:
- iOS 17
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