According to the report, it claims that Sony is expected to boost the number of 3D camera sensors that they make due to interest from phone makers, Apple included. Satoshi Yoshihara, head of Sony’s sensor division said, “Cameras revolutionized phones, and based on what I’ve seen, I have the same expectation for 3D. The pace will vary by field, but we’re definitely going to see adoption of 3D. I’m certain of it.”
Exactly what these 3D sensors will be used for by phone makers is unclear, but a more-than-like scenario is that these sensors could be used either to introduce facial recognition systems to phones, or when placed on the rear-facing camera, help improve the bokeh and simulation of such effects on the phone.
As far as Apple is concerned, a report from November by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple could offer an upgraded Face ID system for the 2019 iPhones. However whether or not this will be the result of Apple using Sony’s sensors is unclear, so we’ll just have to wait and see.