Rumor calls for a rear-facing laser system on back of iPhone 8 to power auto focus and depth detection on camera

A report published today states that a rear laser system on the Apple iPhone 8 is coming, and will provide faster and more accurate auto focus for photographs, and depth detection for AR apps. Apple is believed to have purchased vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser components for use with the VCSEL system expected on the device. Sources say that the additional cost to Apple would be only $2 per phone.

 The front-facing camera, called "revolutionary" earlier this year by superstar analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, will reportedly include a 3D sensor and offer facial recognition. And despite previous rumors suggesting otherwise, today's report also states that the iPhone 8 is likely to include Touch ID. The big question is whether the feature will be embedded inside the display, or include a rear-facing button in the middle of the rear cover. Of the possible options, Apple fans would be the most disappointed with the latter. Renders of such a look have been concocted and do not look to be appealing.

There have been other rumors, some of which call for Apple to remove Touch ID completely and replace it with a face recognition system. The question here is whether the latter will work at a pace fast enough to satisfy iPhone users. Also being questioned is whether the face recognition system would be good enough to quickly and accurately verify someone's identification.

source: MacRumors