The Hidden Superpower in Your Pocket: A Guide to iPhone LiDAR

LiDAR on iPhone.

If you have an iPhone “pro” model, you may have noticed a small, black circle next to your camera lens.

While it may look like another camera, it’s actually something even more intriguing. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is now in your pocket. It was first used by NASA to land on Mars and utilize autonomous vehicles to see the road.

Figure 1. The LiDAR Sensor (The Black Dot).

Invisible Intelligence.

How the sensor works quietly in the background.

Instant Focus LiDAR uses lasers to instantly measure distance. This allows the iPhone to focus 6 times faster, even in total darkness.

Home Design By walking around with apps like Polycam or Scaniverse, you can create a complete 3D model (Digital Twin) of your room for renovations.

Preserving Memories Instead of just taking a photo of a special object, you can scan it and save it as a 3D model on your phone.

Deep Dive.

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The Measure App

Open Apple's Measure app and you'll find it's incredibly fast. The best feature is "Person Height".

Point your camera at a person, and the sensor instantly detects them and displays their height from ground to head.

Practical & Fun >

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Night Mode Portraits

LiDAR isn't just for 3D. It enables "Night Mode Portraits" by understanding depth in the dark.

It creates a precise depth map, allowing the camera to blur the background while keeping the subject sharp, even with zero light.

Better Photos >

The next time you're taking a photo in the dark, remember that little black dot next to the camera. It is a powerful tool for 3D modeling and measurement working quietly to make your photos clearer.

References & Sources

Aerial Precision – "LiDAR on iPhones: is it worth it?"
Explains the history of LiDAR on iPhone and its professional utility in 3D mapping.
View Source ↗

Coolblue – "What's the LiDAR scanner?"
Confirming specific supported models and the technical explanation of distance measurement.
View Source ↗

BGR – "How To Use LiDAR On Your iPhone"
Tips on using the Measure app and "Person Height" feature efficiently.
View Source ↗

ZDNET – "8 really cool ways I use LiDAR on my iPhone"
Practical examples of everyday use, such as night photography focus benefits.
View Source ↗

About the Author

L.C. Sankalpa Lokuliyanage

I am currently pursuing a Masters in Software at Kyungpook National University, South Korea.

My background includes a BSc. (Hons) in Computer Science (First Class) from the University of Wolverhampton, UK, and a PGD in Cybersecurity (Class Top) from the London School of Business and Finance, Singapore.

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