Report: Samsung considered bringing back the 3D ToF sensor for the Galaxy S22, decided not to

19 April 2021
Apparently, it was Apple's decision to include a ToF sensor on the iPhone 12 Pro that caused Samsung to think about bringing it back.

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whats a 3D ToF? is that like a LiDAR scanner?

    wongwatt, 19 Apr 2021A few phones came with tof sensors that year, the S10 didn&... moreAgain, S10 5G has ToF sensor both front and back.

      wongwatt, 19 Apr 2021A few phones came with tof sensors that year, the S10 didn&... moreSorry yes, the really expensive 5G version did have a tof.

        Aldwin123, 19 Apr 2021Huh? Did you even understand the Article? 1. Samsung decid... moreA few phones came with tof sensors that year, the S10 didn't.
        Most famously the Huawei P30 Pro made excellent use of it.

          Anonymous, 19 Apr 2021name explains it all lolHi anonymous troll, my screen name doesn't actually mean anything - it's a word I made up.
          I am a Huawei user, no Google = no sale for the majority.
          All the other big boys are downgrading their camera arrays because they don't have to worry about Huawei, that's the truth.

            STE FAR 05, 19 Apr 2021Wrong both times. Huawei isn't going. Samsung and othe... moreHuawei no longer have Google, I use a Huawei phone, but to the majority they are already gone.
            There's nothing innovative about Samsung's cameras and removing features is certainly not innovating - perhaps you should look up the definition of that word?

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • JT5
              • 19 Apr 2021

              AnonD-909757, 19 Apr 20211: It is overkill to use a 3D ToF for the sole purpose of t... moreLOL, the Laser that has single point is better than ToF that has much more than 10.000.
              If ToF had any need to have 5, 8 or 12MP, the makers would be doing already.

              Just an excuse because ToF from Samsung Semicon is inferior to one made by Sony Semicon.

                Aldwin123, 19 Apr 2021Huh? Did you even understand the Article? 1. Samsung decid... moreI said following. They are always on a lookout for what Apple will do next, 3.5mm jack gone? They laugh a bit and resist then copy. No earphones or charger in the box? Make fun of then copy. iPhone includes 3D ToF sensor? Hmm but we removed it

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                  • bbecker1983
                  • rUp
                  • 19 Apr 2021

                  No need, use the senors we have already, just defocus the main and use the 3x, defocis the ultrawide and use the main, we don't need ultra wide portrait mode. I'd rather S10+ pill cut out on the screen with a 12mp 1.22um f2 and a 8mp 100 fov for selfies than an overpriced 40mp that takes 10mp images

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                    • AnonD-909757
                    • pZV
                    • 19 Apr 2021

                    1: It is overkill to use a 3D ToF for the sole purpose of taking portrait shots, there are other methods who do much better as 3D ToF have a low depth map resolution anyway.
                    2: Laser autofocus is better than 3D ToF autofocus as it is less complex.
                    3: If they don't intend on using 3D ToF for AR and other real 3D uses, it is useless anyway.
                    4: If they intend on using 3D ToF for AR and other 3D uses, they better crank up the sensor and depth map resolution significantly.
                    5: If they were not stubborn, they would have switched to a continuously variable zoom periscope for the telephoto, which, with a bit of work on the focus part, would make native portrait shots without relying on any 3D ToF, depth camera or AI to blur the background that would be done for real, it would also allow for amazing Macro at the same time.

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                      • Anonymous
                      • vIg
                      • 19 Apr 2021

                      ToF may disapper now, but maybe back in the future.

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                        • Rev-9
                        • uZa
                        • 19 Apr 2021

                        ToF sensor is useless anyway. better use that space for something useful

                          rghaleb, 19 Apr 2021Samsung is now shamelessly following Apple's every move...Huh? Did you even understand the Article?
                          1. Samsung decide NOT to put ToF sensor to the next Galaxy S
                          2. Samsung use ToF FIRST (S10 5G)

                            • y
                            • yalim
                            • T4}
                            • 19 Apr 2021

                            s21 has one of best focus and bokeh in the market.PDAF, AI chip and multiple lens combination does the job. obviously,no need to use ToF.s21u can also shoot night portrait.lidar is not necessary either.

                              Strides of hair on the right of the first image are blurred, so separation without ToF on S21U isn't great

                                Samsung is now shamelessly following Apple's every move...

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • TLP
                                  • 19 Apr 2021

                                  wongwatt, 19 Apr 2021No Huawei, no need to bother pushing camera tech. Without ... morename explains it all lol

                                    wongwatt, 19 Apr 2021No Huawei, no need to bother pushing camera tech. Without ... moreWrong both times. Huawei isn't going. Samsung and others are innovating.

                                      No Huawei, no need to bother pushing camera tech.
                                      Without the former no.1 they're all downgrading their flagships and they will keep doing it incrementally until there's nothing left.

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                                        • Sammyboi1991
                                        • YTx
                                        • 19 Apr 2021

                                        So no more 3D scanning? First Sony dropped it, now Samsung?

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