DigiTimes says Apple has told one of its manufacturing partners to ready components for use in the rear Time-of-Flight (ToF) camera lenses said to be coming to the 2020 iPhone lineup.
The publication’s supply chain sources tell them Apple has asked its supply chain partner to supply VCSEL components for use in rear ToF camera lens in its mobile devices to be released in 2020.
Multiple rumors have indicated Apple’s 2020 iPhone lineup will boast a laser-powered time-of-flight 3D rear camera that will offer significant improvements to Augmented Reality experiences.
VCSELs, or vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, are a key component of Apple’s TrueDepth camera on their current iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max devices. The feature powers several features on the phones, including Face ID, Animoji, as well as Portrait mode inside the Camera app. A ToF camera system’s use of a more advanced laser would be a major step up from the current TrueDepth system.
Time-of-Flight calculates the time it takes for a laser to bounce off surrounding objects, allowing it to create a 3D map of the environment, allowing more accurate depth perception and better placement of virtual objects. The 2020 iPhones could be able to scan areas up to 15 feet from the device.