iPhone users, take note: That tiny black circle beside your camera isn’t just for show. Its capabilities will leave you amazed.

Have you ever noticed a small black circle near the camera on your iPhone, especially on the Pro models with triple cameras? Many users wonder if it’s a hidden fourth camera or just a design element. In fact, this is neither—it’s a sophisticated sensor known as the LiDAR scanner.

While most iPhone users are unaware of its full potential, this tiny sensor significantly enhances your photography, augmented reality (AR) experiences, and spatial measurements.

What Is the Black Sensor Next to the Camera?

Apple has equipped its Pro iPhone models with this black LiDAR scanner, which uses laser technology to measure distances and the dimensions of objects around it. It emits invisible light beams that bounce off surfaces and return to the sensor, allowing the iPhone to accurately calculate shapes and distances.

This sensor improves photo and video quality, enables precise 3D mapping, enhances low-light performance, provides faster autofocus, and enables immersive AR effects. In simple terms, it allows your iPhone to “see” the world almost as you do with your eyes.

How LiDAR Enhances Your iPhone Experience

1. Take Photos in Low Light

Capturing photos in the dark is often challenging, but the LiDAR scanner makes it effortless. It allows your iPhone camera to autofocus up to six times faster in low-light conditions, ensuring quick and sharp photos when every second counts. You don’t need to activate it manually—the sensor works automatically whenever you use your camera.

2. Measure Objects Accurately

With LiDAR, you can measure objects around you with precision. Using Apple’s Measure app, your iPhone can calculate exact dimensions, eliminating the need for separate measuring tools.

3. Visualize Furniture in Your Home

If you’re shopping for furniture or decor, LiDAR helps you see how items would fit in your space. Many apps, such as Amazon, allow you to overlay 3D models of furniture in your room. LiDAR ensures these models are accurately scaled, giving a realistic preview of how your new purchase will look.

4. Enjoy VR and AR Games

Gamers benefit greatly from the LiDAR scanner. It enables smoother and more immersive AR and VR gaming experiences, reducing glitches and improving object detection in virtual environments.

5. Scan Your Room in 3D

LiDAR also allows you to scan entire rooms and create 3D models. Apps like Canvas: LiDAR 3D Measurements make it easy to scan spaces and generate precise 3D models, useful for home planning or architectural purposes.

In conclusion, that seemingly simple black dot next to your iPhone camera is a powerful LiDAR sensor that revolutionizes the way you capture, measure, and experience the world. Next time you glance at your iPhone, remember—it’s not just a camera; it’s a high-tech tool that sees your surroundings in incredible detail.