Pressure Sensors in android smartphones

[AskingForAFriend]

This app called Sensors Multitool shows you how each sensor works in your smartphone and I cam across this odd feature: pressure sensor. 

 

It shows the altitude of the device and the pressure measured in hPa. The weird part is that when I press harder on my screen, the pressure goes up consistently every time. I know my phone doesn't have a pressure sensitive screen however this is interesting. Why does it do that? I also encourage you to download the app and try it yourself as well, see if it does the same. 

 

[lewdicrous]

Probably cause the sensor reads the pressure exerted on the device/sensor, so maybe pressing on the screen is also putting pressure on said sensor, in turn giving those increased numbers

[Underi]

My Nokia 6.1 doesn't have a pressure sensor so I can't see this page, but seems pretty cool. What's your phone? Do you have any idea what this pressure sensor is used for?

[DrMacintosh]

Pressure sensor, aka a barometer. Pressing on the screen can change the pressure of the air inside the phone as the glass flexes and displaces air. 

[jake9000]

If your phone is waterproof, the airflow will be somewhat restricted which will cause pressure to increase when compressed. 

I used to have a sony Z3c and you could only get that effect the port covers tightly pressed in. 

[AskingForAFriend]

On 4/7/2019 at 1:50 AM, jake9000 said:

If your phone is waterproof, the airflow will be somewhat restricted which will cause pressure to increase when compressed. 

I used to have a sony Z3c and you could only get that effect the port covers tightly pressed in. 

my phone doesn't have any official waterproofing however the Sim card tray has a rubber ring to stop water from coming in, so I wouldn't be surprised if it is at least splash proof. However this theory would make sense 

[AskingForAFriend]

On 4/6/2019 at 9:54 PM, Underi said:

My Nokia 6.1 doesn't have a pressure sensor so I can't see this page, but seems pretty cool. What's your phone? Do you have any idea what this pressure sensor is used for?

Honestly, no clue what it could be used for. A crazy theory is that Sony added it to be able to see how much pressure has been applied to the screen in case someone comes in and says that the pixels turned black for no reason, and they'd check the applied pressure and see that the damage was user applied. crazy ass theory tho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯