16-Inch MacBook Pro Features New 'Lid Angle Sensor'

[MacRumors]

Earlier this week, do-it-yourself repair website iFixit shared its full teardown of the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, providing a closer look at its scissor switch keyboard, new thermal architecture, and other design tweaks.

As it turns out, there is one more change. In an internal document to Apple Authorized Service Providers, obtained by MacRumors, Apple indicates the 16-inch MacBook Pro includes a new "lid angle sensor" that presumably monitors the opening and closing of the notebook and the precise position of the lid.

MacRumors reached out to iFixit to investigate, leading them to uncover a small sensor facing the left-side hinge of the notebook. There is also a magnet embedded in the hinge itself, with an arrow indicating polarity. iFixit has updated its teardown with photos of the sensor, which we've shared below.

Photo: iFixit​

While previous-generation MacBook Pro models have a Hall effect sensor that determines when the lid is closed for sleep/wake purposes, the lid angle sensor in the 16-inch MacBook Pro appears to be more sophisticated.

Apple's service document does not provide any clues as to why the sensor was redesigned, but iFixit speculates that it could provide a clever way for Apple to track how often the lid was opened, closed, or adjusted in cases where the display or frayed flex cables need to be repaired -- think "Flexgate."

Photo: iFixit​

The lid angle sensor could also be for an unannounced macOS feature, although again, this is merely speculation.

Of note, in the event of a display repair, Apple's service document indicates that technicians must calibrate both the display and the lid angle sensor in order for the repair to be considered complete. If we learn any additional information about the sensor, we will be sure to provide an update.

Article Link: 16-Inch MacBook Pro Features New 'Lid Angle Sensor'

 

[benshive]

Interesting. Maybe a feature this sensor could be used for could be a setting where a user can set exactly how far closed they want the lid to be when the display turns off.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

It may also, for future models, be used to help FaceID to determine the angle at which the face is likely at for quicker login.

 

[4487549]

Lots of cabinets and drawers have magnetic hardware to give them a more "premium" feel, so the polarity could be for that or even to hold the lid closed when shut. Standing by for a youtube shootout comparing the best sounding laptop lid snaps...

 

[bookofxero]

My 2015 MBP has a magnetic sensor on the left side. My TI2 pen has magnets to hold the cap on. One day I placed my pen next to my laptop and the screen shut off because the magnet caused it to think the lid was closed.

My coworker has a 2018 MBP that does not respond to the pen. However, when he disconnects from his external monitors with his laptop screen up, his computer will completely lockup, as if it thinks the lid is closed. Opening it and closing it has no effect, and the trackpad goes completely dead (no haptic - just like my laptop when the pen is placed beside it).

My theory: I know other people with the same issue when disconnecting from hubs/docks. I guarantee more than a few have gone to the Genius Bar about this issue. This sensor is so the machine knows if the display is actually closed or not so it does not lock up for those and similarly-affected users.

 

[SoldOnApple]

Maybe the speakers are tweaked based on angle.

 

[anschris]

This is probably the "pervert privacy protection" feature. If it senses the lid closing super rapidly, it closes all browser windows and scrubs the hard drive of all your porn.

 

[GubbyMan]

Maybe this could be used for the speakers and/or microphone so that they can be better calibrated when the lid is half-closed.

edit: got ninja’d...

 

[ersan191]

Bet this was for FaceID but they couldn’t get it working in time.

 

[Falhófnir]

Wasn't there something about bouncing the sound from the speakers off the display to improve audio quality or am I imagining that? Either a patent or as part of the introduction of the 2016 or something, it's a bit of a vague memory.

 

[whiteonline]

They must be collecting viewing angle samples after managing to get both Smart Keyboard options incorrect.

 

[ddemetriou]

Maybe screen angle effects airflow and it adjusts the fans/cpu clock speed to avoid overheating to happen.

 

[terraphantm]

Might simply because they couldn't fit large enough magnets with the new smaller bezels.

 

[SDJim]

Or maybe the screen has an electro-sensitive coating that destabilizes under voltage, providing a matte finish to the screen. The software adjusts the reflectiveness of the screen based on screen angle and ambient light to provide the best balance of image and anti-glare! /s

Seriously, I'm sure it's one of the incredibly un-sexy items mentioned in the article.

Clocking lid openings?
Sounds about right.
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Might simply because they couldn't fit large enough magnets with the new smaller bezels.

There we go. I'm changing my answer to terraphantm's.

 

[Service Droid]

I'm an Apple technician an AASP and we have been speculating about this since the internal documents were released.

The leading theory at this point is that it gathers info about whether the screen has been over extended at any point leading to hinge damage.

 

[gibson486]

Anyone have any idea what sensor this is? I have never seen a sensor that small that can measure angle like that is doing.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Anyone have any idea what sensor this is? I have never seen a sensor that small that can measure angle like that is doing.

https://ams.com/documents/20143/36005/AS5270_DS000525_2-00.pdf/74c1bd8d-735d-dd59-4a78-ae27dd75a012

It would be interesting to know if they removed the hall effect sensor and detect the lid open/close solely on the lid angle sensor.

 

[Flight Plan]

This is probably the "pervert privacy protection" feature. If it senses the lid closing super rapidly, it closes all browser windows and scrubs the hard drive of all your porn.

Okay, I know everybody else is laughing at that. Or they're closing their laptops super rapidly.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

I'm an Apple technician an AASP and we have been speculating about this since the internal documents were released.

The leading theory at this point is that it gathers info about whether the screen has been over extended at any point leading to hinge damage.

You’re probably right.

But seriously, some of the ideas we’re coming up with here are hilarious and probably outlandish.

 

[reallynotnick]

Might simply because they couldn't fit large enough magnets with the new smaller bezels.

Case closed folks, time to pack it up, but loving the creativity in this thread!

 

[MvdM]

You are opening it wrong.

 

[UglyCowboy]

The leading theory at this point is that it gathers info about whether the screen has been over extended at any point leading to hinge damage.

or to determine if the users, of units sold in Japan, are trying to grab those upskirt shots. oh wait, it's a crappy 720p cam. nevermind.

 

[Builddesign]

Love the dock/hub undock theory, Seems excessive to have a sensor for this. This issue sure is annoying when eveything is non responsive after connecting to external monitors....only keyboard lights are active....
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Case closed folks

I see what you did there 😂

 

[Analog Kid]

How did iFixit miss that sensor?

 

[tokevmur]

I'm an Apple technician an AASP and we have been speculating about this since the internal documents were released.

The leading theory at this point is that it gathers info about whether the screen has been over extended at any point leading to hinge damage.

Yes, I somehow managed to damage my 2016 MBP 13" — and I am careful. There is no way to limit how far the screen can go back.