iPhone 8 Features: Galaxy S8 Rival To Come With 3D Laser System For Better Autofocus, AR

Apple is expected to introduce its 10th anniversary iPhone, currently dubbed as iPhone 8, this fall. Ahead of its launch, more and more details about its features are being outed online. This week, a source is claiming that the Galaxy S8 rival smartphone will come with a rear-facing 3D laser system that would allow the device to have better autofocus and enhanced implementation of augmented reality software features.

What Will This 3D Laser System Do?

On Wednesday, a source who has information on Apple’s plans for the iPhone 8 disclosed to Fast Company that the handset will feature a 3D laser system alongside its back camera module. The system is said to be called VCSEL or vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, and it is going to work hand in hand with the dual-lens camera module of the device. For this advanced feature, the Cupertino giant has reportedly tapped Lumentum, Finisar and II-VI as its suppliers of the needed sensors.

“VCSEL laser systems calculate the distance the light travels from the laser to the target and back to the sensor, and generate a Time of Flight (TOF) measurement. The system consists of a source (the VCSEL laser), a lens, detector (sensor), and a processor. The whole thing costs about $2 per phone,” the anonymous tipster said.

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MacRumors says this report about a 3D laser system for the iPhone 8 shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, ARKit in iOS 11 is already hinting at augmented reality features. Plus, Tim Cook has mentioned in the past that he thinks AR would be the next big thing in the tech industry. Furthermore, design leaks of the iPhone 8 appear to confirm a vertically aligned dual-lens module, suggesting that Apple is indeed going to put emphasis on AR when its new smartphone arrives.

Apple Delaying iPhone 8 Release?

This new information about the iPhone 8 comes after Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts Wamsi Mohan and Stefano Pascale reported that Apple’s next flagship phone could be delayed by almost a month. “Our conversations with the Supply Chain suggest that the iPhone 8 will ship 3-4 weeks delayed given technological issues which Apple and its suppliers are working through,” the two wrote after recently visiting Apple’s supply chain.

This anticipated delay is believed to be due to the technical issues Apple is facing with the implementation of the fingerprint sensor and the 3D sensor on the redesigned handset. As per earlier reports, Apple is planning on embedding the Touch ID sensor into the OLED display panel of the iPhone 8. As for the 3D sensor, Apple reportedly intends to use it for the facial recognition feature of the device’s front camera.

ALSO READ: Why Apple could be delaying iPhone 8 release

Though the release date of the 10th anniversary iPhone is still unknown, Samsung’s biggest rival is expected to reveal the powerhouse this September so it could keep its tradition. However, given the company’s ambitious move of introducing advanced technologies with the iPhone 8, it wouldn’t be a shocker if the rumored delay would turn out to be true.