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True Tone

All Three iPhones Arriving in 2017 Will Reportedly Feature True Tone Technology

iDevices
March 31, 2017

All three iPhone models unveiled in 2017 will feature True Tone technology. That’s according to a new note from investment firm Barclay’s first obtained by MacRumors.

Currently an exclusive on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro

Currently an exclusive on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro
An "iPhone 8" concept showing off a rumored "function area."

An "iPhone 8" concept showing off a rumored "function area."

Credit: Moe Slah

True Tone technology is currently on found on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro introduced in early 2016.

Working somewhat like the Night Shift feature found on all iOS devices and now even the Mac, True Tone automatically adapts the screen color to better match the lighting situation.

Using a four-channel ambient light sensor, it will allow the screen to look more natural and comfortable. For example, if the sensor detects fluorescent lightning, the screen will be more warm and offer a yellow hue. But if used outside in natural, the screen will have more of a distinctive blue color.

The inclusion of True Tone is a new rumor for the 2017 iPhone line, but it definitely makes a lot of sense. It’s been one of my favorite iPad Pro features, and makes reading much easier on the eyes. Along with the rumored OLED display, the “iPhone 8” could be a big leap forward as far as display technology goes.

Both front and back 3-D sensors for the 'iPhone 8'?

Both front and back 3-D sensors for the 'iPhone 8'?

Another interesting tidbit in the note, pointed out by 9to5Mac, says that the “iPhone 8” will feature 3-D sensors on both the front and back of the handset. Those will be used for both the rumored facial recognition and augmented reality features. Here’s more from the Barclay’s note:

The key to Apple’s 3D sensing ambitions will, in our view, be two structured light cameras, one each on the front and back. This shift represents a change from our earlier assumption of a structured light camera on the front and advanced depth mapping Time-of-Flight sensor on the rear (for detail on the characteristics of such parts, please see the Appendix). We now think the 3D sensing for facial recognition (front) and augmented reality (rear) will be conducted via two custom modules, with ams/Heptagon providing significant content on the transmit side and STMicro on the receive side.

More about the 2017 iPhone lineup

More about the 2017 iPhone lineup

If you’re interested in learning more about the next-generation lineup, make sure to visit our “iPhone 8” rumor roundup section that will be continuously updated until the handsets are revealed sometime this fall.

Our rumor roundup