The new iPhone 8 might contain 3D lasers

Good news for Apple fans is that the new iPhone 8 will probably contain an advanced system of 3D laser on its back in order to enhance the experience when the user will run augmented reality (AR) apps, as per rumors.

According to a source familiar with Apple’s plans informed Fast Company that Apple is working hard to add the rear-facing 3D laser system to the phone’s back and that the laser technology will supposedly work with the camera along with giving enhanced depth detection and improved autofocus functionality while taking pictures.

The company already announced its augmented reality development kit (ARKit) back in June. Now, by including new features the company plans to boost up the new AR platform’s capabilities.

According to the report as cited by Fox News, the 3D laser system will advance the depth measurement radically along with making AR lifelike. However, the report also stated that this news is not yet verified and “depends on the progress the Apple engineers make in integrating the laser system into the phone”.

As per the source, VCSEL laser system might be used for iPhone’s 10^th anniversary which might be named as the iPhone 8 or the iPhone Pro or the iPhone X.  The VCSEL lasers work by sending off a laser that bounces off the object and back to the phone’s sensor. The system will contain the VCSEL laser, lens, sensor and processor; this would cost about $2 per phone. However, an Apple spokesperson refused to comment about the situation.

For completing a decade, iPhone 8 will reportedly include several new features like wireless charging, edge-to-edge OLED display, depth-sensing features in its front cameras that will replace Touch ID with face detection, iris scanner, and possible sealed buttons on the phone’s side that will respond with haptic feedback along with being entirely waterproof. The depth-sensing features will permit the phone to identify people’s faces, unlock the phone and allows 3D photo effects. The laser could also help map the phone’s surroundings that will permit the user to place virtual objects in real world, reports CNET.

The new iPhone 8 will be among the three new iPhones that were announced by Apple in the fall. The other two will be the successors to already existing iPhone 7 and 7 Plus and will probably be dubbed as iPhone 7S and 7S Plus.

Moreover, according to reports, Apple is still in progress to incorporate the lasers in iPhone 8 and it might take until 2018 model if this system fails to get ready in time. Also, being available in four various colors, the rumors say that the phone might cost as much as $1200.