Schematics of a barometer component belonging to the iPhone 6 have apparently been uncovered.
One of the iPhone 6’s new functions will be the ability to detect shifts in air pressure. That’s according to a schematic uncovered by GeekBar over on Weibo.
Of course, the above source also incorrectly named this schematic as a successor to the iPhone 5S A7 chip’s M7 motion coprocessor.
Rather, as noted by one MacRumours forum user, component designated BMP282, or “Phosphorous,” is a very similar component in design, function, and name to the Bosch BMP280.
That parallel marks out the component as a barometric pressure reader. The small difference in name suggests that Apple has asked Bosch to modify the piece slightly.
So what could be the applications of a barometer in your iPhone 6? It could make local weather predictions far more accurate, for one thing. It would also boost the accuracy of GPS functions by noting your height as well as your positioning.
All in all, the iPhone 6 could be the best iPhone yet for outdoorsy types.
This schematic leak backs up a report from June that stated that Apple’s next smartphone revision would feature such a barometer. That report noted that there was evidence within the rereleased iOS 8 code that Apple was working on a barometer function, and that the current iPhone 5S would not support this feature, suggesting that it was tied in with new hardware.
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