In recent years the number of sensors mounted on smartphones has increased significantly. This has meant that our devices are increasingly becoming an object that cannot be dispensed with. But are you sure you know all the sensors mounted on your smartphone? And above all, do you know what they are for? In this article we will talk about smartphone sensors: what they are and what they are for.
Index
Accelerometer
The accelerometer is the sensor capable of measuring the acceleration of the smartphone. Furthermore, the latter, combined with the gyroscope, rotates the screen of the smartphone based on how we orient it.
Gyroscope
The gyroscope, combined with the accelerometer, is one of the main sensors for our smartphone. This is able to detect every movement performed by the device. A clear example of how it works can be found in video games; indeed playing on our device, based on how we tilt it, we will have perspective changes or we will be able to move something.
Magnetometer
If you can use applications like the compass on your device, it is about the magnetometer; this is in fact able to measure the intensity and direction of an electromagnetic field, thus allowing the smartphone to function as a compass.
Brightness
Through this sensor our smartphone is able, in a completely automatic way, to adapt the brightness of the screen according to the intensity of light in the environment that surrounds us. For example, if we are in a very bright area, this sensor will ensure that the smartphone adapts to this situation by increasing the brightness and thus increasing the display.
Proximity
The proximity sensor is really very useful; it, through a mechanism based on the reflected waves, succeeds in deactivating the screen as soon as an object, or an ear or a hand, gets too close. A striking example of its use we can find when we receive a call and, bringing the smartphone close to the ear, the screen of the latter is deactivated.
Thermometer
Most of the hardware components of the smartphone produce heat which, over time, can lead to damage to the device. Therefore, a thermometer is mounted on the smartphone to monitor the temperature. In this way it is possible to avoid that the temperatures become too high and therefore damage the device.
GPS
Through the latter it is possible to use the different navigation apps like Google Maps. In fact, the GPS is able to show and indicate our exact location. Furthermore, GPS is often used by other apps that require geolocation to the user. Moreover it is very useful also in case of theft or loss of the device; in recent years GPS has in fact become more and more precise and is therefore able to accurately detect the position of the device.
Fingerprints
Now available on almost all smartphones, the fingerprint reader has become of fundamental importance both for unlocking the smartphone and for electronic payment systems. The latter is much more secure than a normal password; it allows you to unlock the smartphone and complete purchases by placing the fingertip of a finger on our hand on it. This way you can have your smartphone always protected and you can make purchases in a completely safe and reliable way.