User:Darrylrose/sandbox
| Submission rejected on 8 December 2025 by Aydoh8 (talk). This topic is not sufficiently notable for inclusion in Wikipedia. Rejected by Aydoh8 16 hours ago. Last edited by BodhiHarp 8 hours ago. |  |
Comment: Struggle to see how a function on one model of smartphone is independently notable when literally every other phone does it as well. Aydoh8[what have I done now?] 14:08, 8 December 2025 (UTC)
The iPhone torch (also known as the flashlight) is a built-in software feature that allows the rear camera LED flash of Apple’s iPhone to operate as a continuous light source. The feature became possible with the introduction of a rear LED flash on the iPhone 4 in 2010 and was officially integrated into the operating system with the release of iOS 7 in 2013.[1] Since that time, all iPhone models have included at least one rear LED capable of torch operation.
Unlike the brief high-intensity burst used in photography, the torch operates at reduced sustained output to limit heat generation and battery drain. Apple does not publish official brightness or luminous output specifications for the torch feature.
History
[edit]Pre-flash era (2007–2009)
[edit]The original iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS did not include rear LED flash hardware.[2] Early third-party "torch" applications instead relied on illuminating the display at maximum brightness.
Introduction of the rear LED (2010)
[edit]The iPhone 4 introduced Apple’s first rear camera LED flash for photography and video recording.[3] Continuous operation was later enabled through software.
System-level torch control (2013)
[edit]With the release of iOS 7, Apple introduced Control Center, which included a dedicated torch control.[4]
Brightness adjustment (2016)
[edit]In iOS 10, Apple added multiple brightness levels through 3D Touch on supported devices. Later models gained the same functionality using Haptic Touch.[5]
Adaptive beam control (2024)
[edit]With the release of Pro-model iPhones with Adaptive True Tone flash hardware, Apple added adjustable beam width controls in iOS 18.[6]
Hardware evolution
[edit]Single-LED flash (2010–2013)
[edit]
Models:
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 4S
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
Dual-LED True Tone flash (2013–2015)
[edit]
Models:
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6 / 6 Plus
- iPhone 6s / 6s Plus
True Tone flash on non-Pro models (2016–present)
[edit]
Models (summary):
- iPhone 7 / 7 Plus and subsequent non-Pro iPhones up to the iPhone 16 family
- iPhone 17 and iPhone Air
- iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
Characteristics:
- True Tone flash system designed to match ambient colour temperature
- Multi-LED module (implementation varies by generation)
- Used for both photographic flash and continuous torch operation
- Multi-level torch brightness control via Control Center and, on newer models, the Action button or Camera Control
Adaptive True Tone flash on Pro models (2022–present)
[edit]
Models:
- iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max
- iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
Characteristics:
- Segmented Adaptive True Tone flash with a multi-LED array
- Hardware-based beam shaping for photographic flash
- In iOS 18 and later, torch mode exposes:
- Vertical control for brightness levels
- Horizontal control for beam width (narrow or wide) on supported Pro models
- Beam-width adjustment is not available on non-Pro devices, including iPhone 17 and iPhone Air
Brightness and luminosity
[edit]Apple does not publish official luminous output specifications for the iPhone torch. Independent testing varies based on methodology, thermal regulation and optical diffusion. Brightness is therefore described comparatively rather than with fixed lumen values.
It is consistently observed that:
- Single-LED models are dimmer than later generations
- Quad-LED and Adaptive True Tone systems provide the brightest sustained output
- Camera flash brightness greatly exceeds torch mode but cannot be sustained continuously
Lock Screen and accessibility integration
[edit]The torch can be activated through:
- Control Center
- Lock Screen shortcut
- Siri voice commands
- iOS Shortcuts automation
The rear LED can also be enabled as a visual alert for incoming notifications via Accessibility settings.
See also
[edit]- iOS
- Camera flash
- Smartphone flashlight
References
[edit]- ^ "iOS 7 introduces Control Center". Apple. 18 September 2013.
- ^ "iPhone Technical Specifications Archive". Apple.
- ^ "iPhone 4 Technical Specifications". Apple.
- ^ "Using Control Center on iPhone". Apple.
- ^ "Use the flashlight on your iPhone". Apple.
- ^ "Apple introduces Adaptive True Tone flash". Apple.
External links
[edit]- Apple – iPhone Camera and Flash Technology