New Leaked Renders Suggest Apple Might Be Giving The iPhone XI Three Cameras With Depth Sensing
After Apple¡¯s less than stellar sales on the 2018 iPhones, people are wondering what comes next for the tech giant. As it turns out, new renders of the still in development 2019 iPhones have leaked, and there are some major camera changes incoming.
After Apple's less-than-stellar sales on the 2018 iPhones, people are wondering what comes next for the tech giant. As it turns out, new renders of the still-in-development 2019 iPhones have leaked. And if they're to be believed, there are some major camera changes.
According to a tip by renowned leak source OnLeaks (via Digit India), there are new renders of what's tentatively being called the iPhone XI (Eleven). It's expected to be targeting a September launch, but the phones are still in development so a lot of what we see now could change.
However, the reason this leak is notable is that it greatly changes up the flagship iPhone design, switching it to a triple lens system on the rear. There's no reason provided for this, but speculation indicates Apple is pursuing something called a 'time of flight' (TOF) system. This basically involves new sensors that measure the amount of time it takes light to bounce of an object and back, allowing the cameras to create a more accurate depth map of what it's looking at.
This fits in with other recent rumours that Apple was putting the focus on 3D imaging with the iPhone XI, though there's been nothing besides whispers to back it up. If that's true however, a three-camera system could very well be true in addition.
In the iPhone X, XR, and XS, the only bit of depth-sensing on the device was a laser grid from the front camera used largely for FaceID, though some apps also made use of the feature. On the rear camera, however, having depth sensing allows for so many more applications, like improved camera autofocus, apps that can scan objects to create virtual images, and even augmented reality games.
Again, OnLeaks' render isn't necessarily the way Apple is going. Even if it does give the iPhone XI three lenses, they won't necessarily be arranged the way shown. But hopefully, the core of the rumour is true, because that means a whole lot of more exciting stuff for us to poke through.
