Barclays says new FaceID sensor and 3D scanning planned for 2020 iPhone series

Apple’s new 2020 iPhones will come with a new Face ID sensor for biometric facial recognition and its Pro series will have new time of flight (ToF) camera sensors for 3D images, according to a note semiconductor analysts from Barclays wrote to investors, reports CNBC.

Apple’s Face ID technology for its 2019 phones was faster than in previous models. According to Barclays, the feature will be upgraded but no other information was given on new features.

ToF camera sensors could enhance the phone’s portrait pictures and augmented reality apps, and create 3D maps of rooms.

ToF has been available in Samsung phones such as Galaxy Note 10+. The phone uses the sensors to take a picture of an object and create a 3D model that can be printed on a 3D printer. ToF provides more depth and clarity for images.

According to TF Securities’ Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s phones planned for 2020 will offer support for 5G networks in the US.

Apple recently purchased Seattle-based AI company Xnor.ai to integrate enhanced edge-based AI tools for facial recognition and machine learning, in a deal valued at some $200 million. Apple is also rumored to be investing heavily in virtual- and augmented-reality products. That market is expected to reach $19 billion this year and grow rapidly.

Article Topics

3D  |  Apple  |  augmented reality  |  biometrics  |  Face ID  |  facial recognition  |  iPhone  |  sensors