Triple-Lens Cameras Coming to 2019 iPhone, 2020 iPhones and iPads to Feature Laser-Powered 3D Cameras

Apple is planning on introducing triple-lens cameras in its 2019 iPhone lineup, reports Bloomberg, confirming many triple-lens camera rumors that we've previously heard.

Like The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg says the followup to the ‌iPhone‌ XS Max will feature a triple-lens camera arrangement, with the ‌iPhone‌ XS and ‌iPhone‌ XR successors to use dual-lens camera arrangements. The third camera will allow for a larger field of view, a wider zoom range, and it will capture more pixels.

iphone 2019 triple rear render

A rendering of a triple-lens ‌iPhone‌ prototype Apple is said to be working on

Apple is apparently working on a feature that would use that extra pixel data to provide tools for automatically repairing a photo or a video to fit in a subject that "may have accidentally been cut off from the initial shot." An enhanced version of Live Photos is also in the works, increasing the length of the attached video to six seconds.

Some versions of the 2019 iPhones Apple is testing use a USB-C connector instead of a Lightning port, which could mean Apple plans to switch from Lightning to USB-C at some point. An upgraded A-series processor and a new Face ID sensor are planned, but the devices are expected to look similar to this year's model.

‌iPhone‌ camera technology will become even more advanced starting in 2020 as part of a push to further Apple's augmented reality ambitions. According to Bloomberg, the company will debut laser-powered time-of-flight 3D cameras that will result in significant improvements to AR experiences on the ‌iPhone‌.

A time-of-flight (ToF) camera system uses a laser to calculate the time that it takes for the laser to bounce off of objects in a room, using the data to create an accurate 3D image of the surrounding area. This allows for more accurate depth perception and better placement of virtual objects, and it will also result in photos better able to capture depth.

Bloomberg says that the camera will be able to scan areas up to 15 feet from the device. Apple's front-facing TrueDepth camera uses 3D technology but because it's infrared and not laser-powered, it only works at distances of 25 to 50 centimeters. Sony could be Apple's supplier for the new system, with Apple in talks with Sony over sensor tests.

Prior to when the new iPhones are released, we could see the first appearance of the 3D camera system in an iPad Pro upgrade planned for spring 2020. Apple is not planning a major ‌iPad Pro‌ update for 2019.

There were originally some rumors suggesting Apple would introduce a 3D camera system in its 2019 iPhones, but reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that wouldn't happen as Apple needs 5G connectivity, augmented reality glasses, and a more powerful Apple Maps database to truly take advantage of the AR capabilities afforded by a ToF camera.

Bloomberg confirms that Apple was indeed aiming to put the 3D camera system in this year's iPhones, but ultimately delayed its plans.

Apple's 2020 iPhones will also feature triple-lens arrangements, improved photo capturing tools, and more powerful processors. Bloomberg suggests it could be a prelude to an AR headset, and past rumors have indicated Apple could launch that device as early as 2020.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's Licenses: These 17 U.S. States Offer Them or Will Later

Thursday June 19, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states and Puerto...
apple watch ultra 2 new black

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus

Monday June 16, 2025 8:45 am PDT by
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve). The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in Three Months With These 12 New Features

Saturday June 14, 2025 5:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of June 2025:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro have a...
ios 26 call holding

iOS 26 Beta is Hiding a New Ringtone — Here's What It Sounds Like

Thursday June 19, 2025 7:25 pm PDT by
Apple is hiding a new ringtone within iOS 26. The new ringtone is an alternative version of the existing Reflection ringtone, which has been the default ringtone since the iPhone X was released in 2017. It was discovered within the code for the first developer beta of iOS 26, but it remains hidden, so you will not find it in the list of ringtones available in the Settings app for now. It...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.6 Public Beta

Wednesday June 18, 2025 10:24 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to public beta testers, with the betas coming just a few days after Apple provided the betas to developers. Testers who have signed up for beta updates through Apple's beta site can download iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. When the...
General Spotify Feature

Spotify Preparing to Launch Long-Awaited Lossless Audio Tier on iPhone

Thursday June 19, 2025 1:46 pm PDT by
Spotify appears to be gearing up to launch its long-awaited lossless music tier. Chris Messina (via TechCrunch) and Spicetify (via The Verge) spotted new lossless references within the code for Spotify's desktop app and web player. With assistance from Aaron Perris, MacRumors has confirmed that the latest beta of the Spotify app for the iPhone also contains new lossless-related code....
new iphone lockscreen ios 26

iOS 26: Five Changes Coming to Your iPhone Lock Screen

Tuesday June 17, 2025 8:46 am PDT by
With iOS 26, Apple has made some additions to the iPhone Lock Screen that aim to make it more customizable than ever. Of course, things can always change before the software makes its way to the general iPhone-owning public, but here are five new things iOS 26 can do on the Lock Screen as of the current developer beta. Widgets Top or Bottom In iOS 18, the row of widgets on your Lock...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

Apple Says iOS 26 Won't Be Available on These iPhone Models

Tuesday June 10, 2025 6:58 am PDT by
Apple this week revealed that iOS 26 is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. That means that iOS 18 is the end of the road for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, which were all released in 2018. However, those devices will continue to receive security updates for at least a few more years. iOS 26 is compatible with the following iPhone models: iPhone 16e iPhone...
Craig Federighi No

John Gruber Reacts to Apple Declining His Interview After His Criticism

Wednesday June 18, 2025 8:10 pm PDT by
Every year between 2015 and 2024, at least one Apple executive agreed to be interviewed by Daring Fireball's John Gruber for a special WWDC episode of his podcast, The Talk Show. Last year, for example, Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, and top AI researcher John Giannandrea joined Gruber on stage at the California Theatre in San Jose to discuss...

Top Rated Comments

bbednarz Avatar
83 months ago
Only the big phone gets it? Thats a bummer. The Xs is IMO the perfect size phone.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
83 months ago
A time-of-flight (ToF) camera system uses a laser to calculate the time that it takes for the laser to bounce off of objects in a room, using the data to create an accurate 3D image of the surrounding area.
LASIK eye surgery: now bundled with your iPhone.

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ScholarsInk Avatar
83 months ago
Only the big phone gets it? Thats a bummer. The Xs is IMO the perfect size phone.
Came here to post this. The withholding of features from non-Plus models was really annoying in the pre-X phones. I'd hate to see that back, as someone who believes in at least somewhat pocketable phones.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unity451 Avatar
83 months ago
YOLO!


Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
waquzy Avatar
83 months ago
Only the big phone gets it? Thats a bummer. The Xs is IMO the perfect size phone.
Nah, the perfect size phone is the iPhone SE, if it only had a bezeless screen...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DocMultimedia Avatar
83 months ago
I really really hope the cameras make it to all the phones. Having to buy a bigger phone just for feature X is really annoying. I won't be buying the phablet.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)