iPhone 12 Again Reported to Come With LiDAR Scanner

LiDAR is set to see "increasing penetration in consumer electronics devices," catalyzed by the upcoming iPhone 12, according to a new report by DigiTimes.

iu 1

LiDAR, which stands for "light detection and ranging," first appeared in the Apple product lineup in the 2020 iPad Pro. The technology was primarily used in the automotive industry before coming to handheld consumer technology products. LiDAR component manufacturers are reported to be benefiting from the proliferation of the scanning technology.

LiDAR can measure distances by illuminating the target with laser light and measuring the reflection with a sensor. This data can then be used to make accurate 3D representations of an object or environment, and can significantly improve augmented reality experiences.

The report predicts that LiDAR is expected to be increasingly adopted for consumer electronics applications in the coming years, driven by the fact Apple will allegedly "incorporate the technology into some of its new ‌iPhone‌ models." Although the DigiTimes report does not explicitly state that LiDAR will come to the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro models specifically, it seems likely that this is the implied meaning of the report's claim that the feature will not come to all new ‌iPhone‌ models.

The scanner has been rumored to feature on the rear of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro for some time. Some leaks have suggested that the LiDAR scanner will only come to the 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro, but others have claimed that the feature will come to both the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro models. The less expensive 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 12 models are said to be missing the LiDAR scanner, with the technology being regarded as a "pro" feature.

Last week, screenshots allegedly from an early ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro production unit showed settings for LiDAR functionality.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Friday June 27, 2025 9:52 am PDT by
Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below. CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot...

Top Rated Comments

Lidar Avatar
63 months ago
“The technology was primarily used in the automotive industry before coming to handheld consumer technology products.” - False

LiDAR has been a key component in the surveying and mapping industries for well over two decades. Well before those cheap sensors showed up in any car.

I have stationary terrestrial LiDAR scanner sitting in my back room collecting dust that is from the late 90s. It’s old and inefficient but highly accurate. It’s made my Leica Geosystems.

Do your research folks.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
that be me Avatar
63 months ago

“The technology was primarily used in the automotive industry before coming to handheld consumer technology products.” - False

LiDAR has been a key component in the surveying and mapping industries for well over two decades. Well before those cheap sensors showed up in any car.

I have stationary terrestrial LiDAR scanner sitting in my back room collecting dust that is from the late 90s. It’s old and inefficient but highly accurate. It’s made my Leica Geosystems.

Do your research folks.
At the very least, his name checks out.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
63 months ago
Lidar, AR, Machine Learning, Animoji = stuff nobody asked for nor anyone cares about
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmarm Avatar
63 months ago
I understand that Apple wants to test their upcoming glasses hardware on the iPhone & iPad, but I could not care less about this addition.

I'd favor getting a cheaper iPhone without this, but oh well ??‍♂️
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DoctorTech Avatar
63 months ago

Lidar, AR, Machine Learning, Animoji = stuff nobody asked for nor anyone cares about
I would agree that few people actually asked for it, but that is part of Apple being a leader - they anticipate future wants and desires and start building the technology to get us from where we are to where they think we want to go. Lidar in particular is a great example, nobody specifically asked for it but it should enable much better focusing of the camera in low light situations which is something a lot of people would like. I still believe the future of AR is going to be exciting in ways we can't even fully comprehend right now but I think in 5 years people will be looking back at today and talking about how Apple ushered in a new era in technology with AR.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dino12 Avatar
63 months ago

“The technology was primarily used in the automotive industry before coming to handheld consumer technology products.” - False

LiDAR has been a key component in the surveying and mapping industries for well over two decades. Well before those cheap sensors showed up in any car.

I have stationary terrestrial LiDAR scanner sitting in my back room collecting dust that is from the late 90s. It’s old and inefficient but highly accurate. It’s made my Leica Geosystems.

Do your research folks.
We use Faro scanners at work. If this technology gets into phones and could eventually scan accurately that would be amazing.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)