We have been hearing that the next iPhone might include a LiDAR scanner for enhanced augmented reality and photography features but so far haven’t seen any concrete evidence in form of leaked parts to support the rumor. Today, however, a claimed rear glass iPhone 12 component suggests that LiDAR is coming to the upcoming iPhone refresh.
A single photo shared Monday on Twitter by @laobaiTDÂ appears to show off a pair of rear backplates believed to belong to the next iPhone. As you can see for yourself, the camera section features five cutouts, three for the three camera lenses, one for a TrueTone LED flash and a fifth hole presumable for a LiDAR scanner.
The exact models that each of the rear glass panels is from are unclear since no other edges are visible in the picture. It is possible that one is the 6.7-inch iPhone 12‌ Pro Max and the other is the smaller 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro. This would mean that the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro does not have the LiDAR scanner, leaving it exclusively for the 6.7-inch “iPhone 12‌ Pro Max, which has been supported by previous rumors.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported earlier today that at least one model of the ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro will feature a LiDAR scanner.
Apple first implemented a LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro refresh.