Evidence of iPhone 6 Atmospheric Pressure Sensor Found in iOS 8 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Evidence of iPhone 6 Atmospheric Pressure Sensor Found in iOS 8

Apple may add an atmospheric pressure sensor to the iPhone 6, according to a report by 9to5Mac. This follows on a rumor from March that suggested the iPhone 6 could include humidity, temperature and pressure sensors when it comes out this fall.

A barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure, giving indications on current and future weather trends as well as altitude data. The report says new APIs in iOS 8 reference altitude data, including one called "isRelativeAltitudeAvailable" that tells apps if a device "supports reporting relative altitude changes". For an iPhone 5s, the API returns "no".

altitude

According to sources at Apple, the Cupertino-company has been working on an updated version of the Compass application that includes altitude tracking, so perhaps that application, which was originally added in 2009 alongside the iPhone 3GS, is what customers will utilize to track their altitude.

iOS 8 is expected to be launched this fall alongside new, larger iPhones. The altitude and pressure sensors could make an appearance in the phone as well as new iPads that are expected later this fall.

Related Forums: iOS 8, iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
iCloud General Feature Redux

Apple Raises iCloud+ Prices in 8 Countries

Friday July 17, 2026 11:56 am PDT by
Apple has increased the price of iCloud+ in Nigeria, Türkiye, Vietnam, Japan, Egypt, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, according to an updated version of its iCloud support document. Price increases range from 11 percent to 55 percent depending on the plan and the country. Nigeria saw the biggest hike, and a 50GB plan is now ₦1,300, up from ₦900. Türkiye saw the next largest...
iPhone 17 17 Pro and Air Feature

Apple Raises iPhone Prices in Japan

Friday July 17, 2026 12:45 pm PDT by
After raising prices on all Macs and iPads worldwide last month, Apple has now increased the price of iPhone models in Japan. As spotted by the Spanish blog iPhoneros, the iPhone 16, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max all received price increases on Apple's online store in Japan today. Prices increased by up to 11%. Model Previous...

Top Rated Comments

Nungster Avatar
158 months ago
I guess Apple will be feeling the pressure!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
158 months ago
As someone who enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, this sensor would be a very welcome addition.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
158 months ago
I can tell you the atmospheric pressure almost anywhere in the world right now.

1 atmosphere. Sorry you're bad at science.

Edit: Denver: .9 atmospheres. It's just not a big deal unless it adds weight, at which point I don't want it.

Not sure if joke or just stupid.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AustinIllini Avatar
158 months ago
Just what I always wanted.

But seriously, who wants this?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
158 months ago
Just what I always wanted.

But seriously, who wants this?

It's not about the sensor, it's about the API. It's another tool in the box. You'll want this once a clever developer figures out how to make it into a killer app...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
158 months ago
Just what I always wanted.

But seriously, who wants this?

I do. But want blinky notification LED first.

----------

Don't see what I could do with a barometer or altimeter. Correct me if I'm wrong but most people don't go on adventure hiking for leisure. A thermometer, however, wouldn't be bad at all.

Where I live most people do actually. It's one of the reasons I chose to live here.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)