Our smartphones are one of the most advance pieces of technology around today. We use them for almost everything including communication, entertainment, directions and even healthcare.
Whether you have an iPhone XS or Samsung Galaxy, the lasts smart phones have a variety of components and sensors.
Naturally, many smartphone users are curious about what make their phones work. Specifically, how smartphones are able to track so much of our daily lives.
Having knowledge about the sensors inside your phone allows you to understand some of the most important parts of your phone.
Continue reading to learn more about the most significant sensors within your smartphone.
Gyroscope
The gyroscope is a three-axis device that determines which direction your smartphone is twisted in.
It provides orientation details and directions like left/right and up/down. The sensor has heightened sensitivity that measures how much a phone has been tilted.
For example, if you are watching a movie, the screen will rotate as you turn your phone.
Using rotational force, it measures the angular velocity around the device’s axes.
In conjunction with the accelerometer and compass, it utilizes the angles pitch, yaw, and roll to detect the absolute orientation of your phone.
Accelerometer Sensor
The accelerometer is another axis based sensor. It measures acceleration, which is why your maps can move along with you while you are driving.
Additionally, it measures which way the smartphone is pointing. The accelerometer is made of other sensors, like microscopic crystal structures.
These crystal structures become stressed when you accelerate, causing voltage.
The accelerometer interprets the voltage coming from the crystals, measuring how fast you are going and which direction you are pointing.
Proximity Sensor
A proximity sensor detects how near an object is to the smartphone. It works on the closeness of an object, and does not rely on actual touch.
It detects whether an object is nearby and triggers the functions internally if needed. Usually, this sensor is at the top of the phone, near the front-facing camera.
This is done to minimize power usage when in a phone call by disabling LCD back light.
It also disables the touch screen to prevent unintentional taps while on the phone and lower the chances of overheating.
The proximity sensor detects if your phone is near a surface, disabling features to save on power.
Internal Optical Sensor
Internal optical sensors calculate bends and small changes in directions. An internal optical sensor has a wide range of uses, including adjusting camera flashes.
An example of this sensor is how your smartphone camera regulates the light when taking a picture.
Even in dark environments or very sunny days, the optical sensor will modify your camera’s light intake to take a perfect picture.
More so, high quality optical sensors have a direct impact on the image lighting captured with your smartphone.
While using your phone for photos, an internal optical sensor adjusts the lighting according to your environment.
Ambient Light Sensor
The ambient light sensor measures the light in your environment. It affects your screen’s brightness sensor and adjusts the light according to how bright or dark the space you are in is.
So, if you step into a pitch-black room the screen will brighten to provide illumination. Doubtless, you have read your phone with the lights out and the brightness has stung your eyes.
This light can be adjusted manually on your smartphone. It will also adjust if you step outside into the sunlight by growing dimmer.
The ambient light sensor sends data back to your operating system, automatically adjusting your screen’s brightness.
Magnetometer
The magnetometer is more commonly known as the compass. It senses magnetic fields, using a MEMS device to sense where you are heading relative to the Earth’s magnetic fields.
Additionally, the magnetometer relies on satellites to place you and your phone in real time.
It always places your smartphone on a north/south axis even when you’re disconnected from the internet.
The magnetometer gives smart users a constant orientation with the magnetic poles. This sensor determines your smartphone’s location in conjunction with GPS.
Sensors within your smartphone shape its functions.
By measuring your speed and orientating your location, it can measure speed, give you reliable directions, and offer suggestions for different activities according to your location.
Sensors also measure its proximity to objects and the light in your surrounding environment, adjusting the smartphone’s features accordingly.
Understanding how sensors work within your smartphone allow you to properly understand operating systems and malfunctions.
Consider the points above to learn more about the core sensors in your smartphone.