2019 Apple iPhones may feature upgraded Face ID camera
Apple's next-generation iPhones will come equipped with an upgraded Face ID camera, suggests reputed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In his latest report, he notes that Apple will use a new sensor that will improve Face ID by lowering the impacts of ambient lighting. He further suggests 2019 iPads may come with a Time of Flight 3D camera for newer AR experiences. Here are the details.
Firstly, what is Face ID and how it works?
Face ID, which debuted with the iPhone X, is Apple's latest facial authentication feature. The setup, enclosed within the notch, comprises a Dot projector which projects more than 30,000 invisible dots to map your face and a Flood illuminator which emits invisible infrared light. Further, an infrared camera captures this facial map and sends the data to the CPU for authentication.
How Apple plans to improve its Face ID feature?
While Apple's Face ID works just fine in dark, it is a bit inconsistent under bright or mixed lighting. Now, Kuo suggests Apple will "raise the output power" of the flood illuminator laser "to lower the impacts from invisible lights of the environment in order to improve the Face ID user experience." Therefore, with better IR-based face illuminance, Face ID may perform consistently.
What does it mean for new iPhones' design?
With Apple working to improve its Face ID gadgetry, two things are quite evident. Firstly, 2019 iPhones will continue to sport notched displays - meaning no all-screen design like OPPO Find X and Mi Mix 3. Secondly, improved Face ID means the next-generation iPhones won't come with an in-display fingerprint sensor. Hence, a plus one to the Samsung Galaxy S10 and OnePlus 6T's successor.
Future iPads to offer newer augmented reality (AR) experiences
Kuo also suggests Apple will introduce a Time of Flight (ToF) 3D camera in its 2019 or 2020 iPads (iPhones to get ToF in 2020). This camera is used to capture 3D images by measuring the time in which a light/laser signal travels between the camera and subject. According to him, this system would allow for newer AR experiences and improved 3D images.
