6.1-inch and 6.7-inch “iPhone 12 Pro” models will feature LiDAR; reports

6.1-inch and 6.7-inch “iPhone 12 Pro” models will feature LiDAR; report

Apple is widely expected to include the LiDAR sensor, first introduced in the 2020 iPad Pro into this year’s iPhone lineup. However, exact details over which out of the 4 new iPhone 12 models will get the sensor is unknown. Some have speculated that only the end highest-end “6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro” will, while others speculate that both Pro models, the rumored 6.1 and 6.7-inch will.

A new report today by Fast Company, citing sources within Apple, states that both the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro models will come equipped with the LiDAR sensor, per the report:

This year’s iPhones will get the same kind of Sony lidar depth camera that Apple put in the 2020 iPad Pro it released in March, a source with knowledge of the company’s plans has told Fast Company. After planning the feature for years, our source says, the technology will show up in the top-tier “Pro” iPhone models Apple is set to announce this fall.

This year’s leaks say that Apple plans to announce four new iPhones sometime this fall. All four devices will reportedly support 5G wireless connectivity, but, as always, advancements to the camera features will also get top billing.

At the top of the line, a number of reports say, are two Pro-tier phones—a 6.1-inch device likely called the iPhone 12 Pro, and a 6.5-inch device likely called the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It’s these high-end devices that will feature the new lidar system, our source says.

Fast Company who has a limited track record reported in March of this year that at least one of this years new phones would feature a ToF (time-of-flight) 3D camera. It also reported that Apple is designing in-house 5G antennas for the 2020 iPhone.

Jon Prosser, one of the most reliable Apple leakers shared screenshots that he alleges comes from a PVT model of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the 6.7-inch variant that shows it equipped with LiDAR. While those screenshots state LiDAR is coming on the highest-end model, it neglects to mention the lower-end Pro. In a separate tweet the next day Jon clarifies, saying that LiDAR will be present for the “iPhone 12 Pro”.

Both Jon Prosser and Bloomberg are reporting an October launch for these new handsets, outside of the typical September launch due to the coronavirus pandemic. In specfic, Jon is reporting that there will be an iPhone 12 event the week commencing October 12th, with preorders for non-Pro models happening the following week.

Jon is also reporting that Apple, via a press release will launch a new Apple Watch and iPad next week, the week of September 7th, and more specifically Tuesday the 8th.