Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Models to Feature Improved LiDAR Scanner - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Models to Feature Improved LiDAR Scanner

Sony will replace Lumentum and WIN Semi as the exclusive supplier of LiDAR Scanner components for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, according to the latest information shared by reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iPhone 14 Pro Rear Camera
In a series of tweets today, Kuo said Sony's time-of-flight VCSEL has lower power consumption than those from Apple's existing suppliers. This would result in the LiDAR Scanner being more power efficient on the iPhone 15 Pro models, which Kuo said could either contribute to longer battery life or allow for the LiDAR Scanner to offer improved performance at the same level of power consumption as on existing iPhones.

Kuo said the improved LiDAR Scanner could benefit camera features, like Night mode and autofocus, as well as augmented reality uses. First introduced on iPhone 12 Pro models in 2020, the LiDAR Scanner can measure light distance and capture depth information, and the hardware is expected to remain exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro models.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Today With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and changes coming with iOS...
deep black iphone 18 pro

Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Sold in U.S. Differs in One Way

Saturday September 12, 2026 3:27 pm PDT by
As noted by Nicolas Lellouche, who writes for the French tech website Numerama, Apple has updated its tech specs pages for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to clarify which models are equipped with its new C2 cellular modem and where. Apple now says the iPhone 18 Pro has a C2 modem worldwide, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the chip in every country except for the U.S. According...

Top Rated Comments

dannyyankou Avatar
47 months ago
I think people underestimate the role LiDAR plays on image quality. Being able to sense the distance of objects allows the camera to focus more accurately.

The measure app is also surprisingly accurate.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
47 months ago
The benefits of LiDAR on iPhone and iPad so far have been totally lost on me. The only real reason for the wide rollout for me has been a wider test for upcoming AR product lines and not much else.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsplusmacs Avatar
47 months ago
Yah seems to be unless a dialog is shown on the screen saying "I AM USING LIDAR RIGHT NOW OK????????" some people think its not being used.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svenning Avatar
47 months ago

Can someone explain what the LIDAR scanner actually does to me, like I'm 5?
Had chatgpt do it for you :)
TLDR Version:
A LiDAR scanner is a tool that uses lasers to make a picture of things far away by bouncing the lasers off of them and measuring how long it takes for them to come back. Scientists and engineers use it to learn more about the world around us.

Long version:
Hello there! Do you like playing with toys that go "beep" and "boop"? Well, a LiDAR scanner is kind of like a toy that helps us see things far away!

A LiDAR scanner is a special device that sends out a bunch of little laser beams (kind of like tiny flashlights) and they bounce off of things like trees, buildings, and even people.
When the laser beams bounce back to the LiDAR scanner, it measures how long it took for the beam to go out and come back. That's called "time of flight" - like how long it takes you to run to one end of a room and then back to where you started.

The LiDAR scanner then uses all of that information to create a really detailed 3D picture of everything it can "see" with its laser beams. It's kind of like taking a really fancy picture, but instead of using a camera, we're using lasers!

Scientists and engineers use LiDAR scanners to study all sorts of things like mapping the terrain of the Earth or measuring how much ice is melting in the Arctic. So, you can think of a LiDAR scanner as a really cool tool that helps us learn more about the world around us!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
47 months ago

The benefits of LiDAR on iPhone and iPad so far have been totally lost on me. The only real reason for the wide rollout for me has been a wider test for upcoming AR product lines and not much else.
I do 3D scanning with the Matterport software , the results are way better with LiDAR, I really don’t need the proprietary Matterport camera that often after the LiDAR in the iPhone came along. I realise that my use case isn’t everyone’s. 😊
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
enterthemerdaverse Avatar
47 months ago
Kuo ‘The next device will be more Kuo than last’s years Kuo’
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)