Some smartphones include a Time-of-Flight (ToF) depth sensor, but the sensor’s location and purpose vary. A rear sensor may assist autofocus or scene depth; a front depth system may support face authentication. “3D sensor” in a specification is not automatically a ToF sensor, and a ToF-assisted camera is not proof that every photo or app uses depth data.
Examples confirmed by manufacturer information
- Sony Xperia 1 IV: Sony lists 3D iToF among its camera features. Check the regional model specification for the device being evaluated.
- HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro: HUAWEI describes ToF 3D imaging for face recognition. This is a front-facing authentication use; it should not be confused with every rear-camera function.
- HONOR Magic3 Pro: HONOR’s product information identifies an 8×8 dToF laser autofocus system for the Pro model. That is a different function from a general-purpose high-resolution depth camera.
This is a verified example list, not a current inventory of all phones. Phone generations, regional variants, and marketing names change. Confirm the exact model and sensor function from the manufacturer’s specification before adding it to a comparison.
What can phone depth sensing do?
Depending on the hardware and software, depth can assist focus, foreground separation, AR placement, scene scanning, or face authentication. Each feature needs more than the sensor: calibration, image processing, and application support determine the experience. A short-range front authentication module should not be presented as equivalent to a rear scene-mapping camera.
What should developers compare?
Check whether an operating-system API exposes depth, at what resolution and frame rate, and under which camera modes. Test indoor and outdoor scenes, low-reflectance subjects, motion, battery use, and privacy controls. A device’s inclusion in a ToF list alone does not establish suitability for a specific application.
