3D camera tech tipped to be coming to the iPhone 8

Most of the US may be taking a break to celebrate Thanksgiving but the Apple rumor mill doesn't slow down for any holiday season - and we've got a new nugget of information to share about the camera technology said to be coming to the iPhone 8 in 2017.

A report in The Korea Economic Daily says Apple is working with LG on a "3D photographing" module for its next handset, one which would perhaps enable a host of extra three-dimensional effects, object recognition, and even augmented reality.

There will be plenty of iPhone 8 rumors swirling around between now and next September but this one fits with previous insider gossip we've heard and makes sense considering Apple's acquisition of Israeli company LinX Computational Imaging last year - a company specialising in 3D depth mapping and other enhancements.

10 is the magic number

2017 will mark the 10th anniversary of Apple's iconic smartphone and chances are that the executives in Cupertino are going to want to pull something special out of the bag to mark the occasion.

If the reports are right, then the dual-lens "LG Innotek" camera could be it. Quite what you'll be able to do with it beyond the effects available in the iPhone 7 Plus remains to be seen - but there's still a long way to go before the next handset launches.

We've also heard hints about an AMOLED screen, a curved display, a resolution bump, and wireless charging arriving in the iPhone 8. Based on the latest reports don't be surprised if it comes rocking some cool 3D photo effects too.

TOPICS
David Nield
Freelance Contributor

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

Latest in iPhone
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Apple iPhone 16e on blue background with big savings text overlay
Total Wireless' latest iPhone 16e deal gets you $300 off plus a cheap plan for a year
The Apple iPhone 16e held at a slant at a window
From iPhone to Android and (almost) back again – the iPhone 16e failed to lure me back to iOS
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW
The latest iPhone 17 Pro Max leak may have given us another look at its upcoming redesign
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW
New iPhone 17 Air leak may have revealed some key specs – and how it compares to the iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Review
Three iPhone 17 model dummy units appear in a hands-on video leak
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough