The iPhone 12 has long been rumored to have a time-of-flight (ToF) camera. And it is the only notable thing excluded from the iPhone 11 Pro's excellent camera system, a depth sensor that could surpass what Samsung offers in the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Sources speaking to Fast Company explain that the rumor of a "world-facing" 3D camera in the iPhone 12 is indeed true. But what will it be able to do?

The sensor, which combines a laser and sensor with some software, will allow the iPhone 12 to more accurately measure the distance from itself to objects in front of it, which will greatly benefit AR experiences and photo/video effects.

Apple will reportedly purchase lasers for the new 3D camera from San Jose-based Lumentum. This is the same company that currently supplies lasers for the iPhone's front-facing 3D TrueDepth camera. [According to Fast Company, there are multiple advantages to a 3D camera for the world. One is better looking portraits. With the addition of the depth camera data, foreground and background layers could be more accurately distinguished, creating a better-looking bokeh effect."

iPhone 12 users will have more control over depth layers in edit mode, similar to what is currently offered on Samsung phones.

Apple is ahead of the curve with AR applications. Apple is developing an AR application for iOS 14 that will display digital information around Apple Store and Starbucks products when the iPhone is pointed at them.

Also, according to Fast Company, 3D cameras could be used to create media for social sharing. For example, people might want to share images of themselves interacting with holographic images of animals or celebrities in their living rooms."

It is a bit odd that Apple had to wait so long to add such a sensor to the iPhone.

Sources warn that this is a feature Apple has been considering adding to the iPhone for some time, and while this version has been underway for two years, it may not make the cut again. Let's hope it doesn't.

Many rival phones have already adopted the ToF sensor. Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 Plus and the recent Galaxy S20 Plus and Galaxy S20 Ultra both have ToF sensors, as do Huawei's P30 Pro and Mate 30 Pro.

Of course, the coronavirus could derail Apple's plans, and some reports claim that the virus has already delayed the iPhone 12 and iPhone 9. Of course, the coronavirus could derail Apple's plans, and some reports claim that the virus is already delaying the iPhone 12 and iPhone 9.