Skip to main content

iOS 14 code shows only iPhone 12 Pro will gain time-of-flight sensor for generating 3D models of environments

9to5Mac has already confirmed Apple is working on a new iPad Pro with a time-of-flight sensor. We have now discovered evidence based on the iOS 14 code that corroborates the existence of new iPhones models, presumably from the iPhone 12 line-up, with the same sensor in the rear camera.

  • iOS 14 code seen by 9to5Mac includes details about new iPhones with the codename “d5x”
  • These are probably the new 2020 iPhones, as the iPhone 11 line-up is identified by “d4x”
  • Only two of these new models are listed with a built-in time-of-flight sensor
  • This leads us believe we’re talking about the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

The new camera setup will likely include a time-of-flight 3D sensor, a wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a telephoto lens. The time-of-flight sensor will lend itself to new augmented reality features. 9to5Mac reported that Apple is developing a new augmented reality application for iOS 14. The app will allow users to get more information about world around them via AR.

Apple’s TrueDepth system on iPhone

The time-of-flight sensor will feature an infrared projector, similar to the front-facing TrueDepth camera present in iPhone X and newer models. That enables the iPhone to capture point clouds from the environment so it can generate 3D models based on them. One of the purposes of the ToF sensor that we can confirm is related with the Measure app, which will be able to make accurate distance and measurement calculations on these devices.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said back in 2019 that two of the new iPhones introduced in 2020 would have the time-of-flight sensor in the rear camera.

As we’re talking about new iPhones, 9to5Mac has also discovered that the new iPhone 9 will have a single lens rear camera that supports stereo sound video recording — a feature that was introduced with the iPhone XS in 2018.

More from iOS 14:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Jamf Apple device management
You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Filipe Espósito Filipe Espósito

Filipe Espósito is a Brazilian tech Journalist who started covering Apple news on iHelp BR with some exclusive scoops — including the reveal of the new Apple Watch Series 5 models in titanium and ceramic. He joined 9to5Mac to share even more tech news around the world.