7. Thermometer
Smartphones come with in-built thermometers that are used to measure the temperature of the surrounding. Some phones are a bit specific and give a reading for both external temperature and the phone’s internal temperature.
Internal temperature helps the phone avoid overheating or warn the owner in advance should heat levels rise beyond the acceptable threshold. Some smartphones are sophisticated enough to and shut down to prevent damage should the heat levels exceed the threshold This is usually the case with old batteries and thus the future comes in quite handy.
8. Pedometer
A pedometer is a sensor tailor made to count the number of steps that a phone user takes. Though such data can usually be obtained by the device’s accelerometer, a dedicated pedometer is power efficient and a lot more accurate. A few smartphones have this sensor. An example of such a phone is the Google Nexus 5.
9. Barometer
Many smartphones, including the iPhones, have a barometer. A barometer is used to measure air pressure. It usually comes in handy when detecting weather changes and back calculating the altitude using information on pressure.
10. Ambient Light Sensor
An ambient light sensor measures the light in the room. This is then used by the phone’s software to adjust the screen’s brightness accordingly if the auto-adjust feature for light is enabled.
11. Radiation Sensor
A radiation sensor detects harmful radiation. It is the newest sensor addition to smartphones. Such a sensor is very handy for phone users in areas where radiation spills are rampant. The Sharp Pantone 5 was the first phone to incorporate a radiation sensor. It was released only in Japan. The phone has a button which when pressed launches a phone application capable of measuring the radiation level of an area.
12. Microphone
Though most people may not consider a microphone as a sensor, it actually is: a voice sensor to be specific – just like your ear. It helps the phone pick up voice signals during calls for example or when you are recording an audio clip.
13. Camera
Similar to the microphone, though most people may not also consider a camera as a sensor, it actually is: a picture and video sensor to be specific – just like your eye. Cameras capture videos and pictures using lenses and sensors.
Conclusion
The future of smartphones boils down to upgrading sensors. Better phones will require efficient sensors, and judging by the way things are going, packed in smaller spaces. Efficient sensors coupled with optimisations and software tweaks will go a long way in upgrading future smartphones to a realm that we have not fathomed as of yet.
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