Kuo: 2019 iPhones are unlikely to adopt the TrueDepth infrared depth system on the rear camera

In the morning of Apple's appointment to announce the composition of the 2018 iPhone, Ming-Chi Kuo released a report targeting the 2019 models. This is a relatively minor comment on the back camera of the iPhones of the year next; Kuo says that contrary to the market consensus, he does not expect that a deep flight time system will be added to the back camera of the 2019 iPhone.

Obviously, a statement on the 2019 cameras also reflects the imminent programming. There were some rumors earlier in the year that 2018 phones would add a third camera to the back, but these reports have gradually disappeared.

Apple is currently using the two camera iris offset in the dual camera module to generate a disparity map, allowing features such as Portrait mode to work.

However, a more accurate higher resolution depth map requires a more sophisticated system, such as on the front camera of the iPhone X; something that can spray infra-red points in the world and then detect the time it takes for them to bounce back.

Kuo says that this technology is unlikely to become iPhones in 2019 for several reasons. First, he says that the current Portrait mode algorithms, based on dual camera disparity maps, are good enough to deliver the results customers want.

In addition, other uses of rich rear camera depth data, such as rich augmented reality experiments, will not be ready to be executed next year. Kuo says that Apple is strengthening its map database in part to create advanced augmented reality features in the future, possibly related to the AR glasses project.

However, these initiatives still have years. Apple said it will be necessary to wait until the end of 2019 to map the United States with its new technology Apple Maps, and that there is no public international calendar.