Well folks, it's time to say goodbye. The iPhone 8 rumor mill is a good companion. It's been with us since November 2016. A lot of details have surfaced for the smartphone so far. However, this just might the last relevant and comprehensive leak for the iPhone 8. The iPhone (iPhone X) for some, is widely expected as Apple's second coming in the smartphone world. It's been ten years since Steve Jobs launched the first 'breakthrough '3-in-1' device. And what an evolution it is. Say what you want about Apple, Cupertino evolves and adapts when it wants to and not when others think it's time. That has led to a consistent upgradation, faltering only when Apple needed time to recover from Steve Jobs' death. But now, the iPhone just, just might be back. How so? Take a look below to find out more.
The iPhone 8's Upcoming Face ID Is A 'Structured Light Module' - Works By Combining Four Different Sensors And Vast Component Array
This year's flagship smartphone race has focused on one thing only. Displays. While other aspects of a smartphone have received attention, it isn't enough to set it apart from previous upgrade rates. Apple, for one, will finally launch an iPhone with OLED, years after the tech appeared on Android. But if you think that it'll be just an OLED display think again.
The iPhone 8 is rumored to feature Facial recognition for quite a while now. These past couple of weeks witness an increase in focus for the feature. This almost makes us forget about another great rumored feature for the smartphone. VR recording support, courtesy of a vertical rear dual camera setup. However, right now, it's time for Face ID to shine, and shine it will. A lot of details for the feature have surfaced. The first of these is. . .
Structured Light Module
Starting off with hardware, Apple's gone a long way to ensure that Face ID is as perfect as possible. Remember; It's claimed by a lot of sources that the iPhone 8 will not feature Touch ID. This impacts Cupertino's ecosystem significantly. The ease of mobile payments and security is based around Touch ID, so a departure won't sit well with a lot of folks. Unless Face ID delivers of course.
According to renowned Apple 'analyst' Ming-Chi Kuo, Face ID will consist of four separate components. These are a Structured Light transmitter a structured light receiver, proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor. Of course, the iPhone 8's front camera will also chip in its share. The Structured Light Transmitter is made from six different components from 10 different vendors. While it sounds mathematically implausible (maybe two vendors for one component), it shows the technology's depth.
The Receiver comes in second, with four components from six vendors. Together, these sensors will capture the depth details necessary for 3D facial recognition. These will be merged with the front camera's information to create an accurate representation of the user's face. The proximity sensor will act as a backup, since the sensors have a limited range (50-100cm) and remind users when their face is too far from the display.
The Transmitter will feature VSCEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) arrays which operate in the Infrared spectrum. At the end of the line sits the ambient light sensor. Now this is where things get really cool. The sensor will support True Tone, which alters light temperatures for realistic reproduction.
You can see for yourself how this contributes to Face ID's overall accuracy as well. Kuo also believes that the risk of 3D component shortages exists for the iPhone 8. Apple's also required to perform an active alignment process for the smartphone, to ensure that everything works perfectly. These combined lend more weight to rumors of a delay.
The Set Up
Folks over at 9to5Mac have been busy with that iOS 11 firmware. It's provided us with a lot of details for the iPhone 8. these include critical features such as the device's resolution and features. True to form, now let's look at how exactly Face ID will be set up on the iPhone 8. 'Instruction Detail States 1-8' provide the exact step by step process. It's a lot similar to setting up Touch ID. This leak also reveals that the iPhone 8 will use Passcode as a secondary security option, burying Touch ID once and for all.
It then proceeds to dive into the specifics of how exactly the four components above will work for Face ID. The maximum distance for facial recognition will be 51 cm and you'll need a background with moderate amount of light. It's the 'move your head to complete the circle' (Instruction State 3) that worries us really. Sprained necks anyone?
Read the 'Nudge Directions' (In pink, image below) to get the gist. A really tiny and really cool feature with the iPhone will be 'Attention is Detected when you're looking at the screen. When attention is detected, iPhone does not dim the display'. It's a problem that I've faced a lot and goes to show how the tiny details are back at Apple.
And One More Thing . . .
Finally, any Apple leak is incomplete without aesthetics. To hide Face ID's components, the iPhone 8's display will be completely black. Combine this with a white model and we get the perfect black and white approach a lot of Apple fans have been waiting for. Of course, a lot of this information is tentative, so don't let that salt out of sight. But, if these features really are executed perfectly, fresh air will grace the iPhone lineup. Thoughts? Let us know what you think in the comments section below and stay tuned. We'll keep you updated on the latest.
