Proximity sensors are a broad category of hardware that modern smartphones rely on heavily, according to an Engadget explainer. The most basic use is shutting off the display when the phone is held to the ear, preventing accidental touches and saving battery life.
More advanced systems use infrared for Face ID, creating a depth map for secure authentication, while NFC chips enable payments, digital keys, and file transfers. The article notes that companies encrypt facial recognition data heavily to prevent abuse.
Other proximity tech includes capacitive touchscreens, Bluetooth beacons, and LiDAR for camera focusing. While users can disable some features like Bluetooth or NFC on Android, iPhones lack an NFC toggle, and core screen-shutoff sensors generally cannot be turned off without developer mode.
The article concludes that disabling proximity tech usually offers little security gain, since these systems are hard to exploit remotely and facial recognition often makes phones more secure. The main takeaway for users is to understand what these sensors do rather than fear them.