No LiDAR Scanner
Everything Else
These devices run the full SpeleoMap survey workflow. The only thing they don't do is capture 3D LiDAR scans — but they can view scans shared by a Pro teammate, and everything else is identical.
Everything SpeleoMap does on these devices
MapLines. continuous underground trajectory recording
Pack mode. hands-free crawl-through recording
Survey stations. drop, label, annotate
Tape lines. manual measurement legs
Calibration A / B / C. true north lock
GPS entrance lock + entrance-referenced export
Photos and notes at stations
Hike Line. GPS trail mapping with elevation profile
View 3D scans shared by a Pro teammate
AirDrop project sharing and import
Export: Survex, GPX, KML, OBJ, PLY, USDZ, PDF, CSV
100% offline. no account, no internet, ever
Apple Health workout integration
Surveying as a team? A single iPhone Pro handles all LiDAR capture for the group. Everyone else runs the full survey workflow on their device — MapLines, stations, tape, pack mode — and the scans from the Pro device can be shared to the whole team via AirDrop.
Supported Devices
iPhone 12 / 12 mini
Released
2020
Chip
A14 Bionic
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 26
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
12 mini has a smaller screen but same capability.
iPhone 13 / 13 mini
Released
2021
Chip
A15 Bionic
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 26
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
Strong battery life. Good crew member device.
iPhone 14 / 14 Plus
Released
2022
Chip
A15 Bionic
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 26
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
14 Plus has excellent battery for long surveys.
iPhone 15 / 15 Plus
Released
2023
Chip
A16 Bionic
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 26
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
USB-C. First non-Pro USB-C model.
iPhone 16 / 16 Plus
Released
2024
Chip
A18
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 26
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
Solid performer. Good budget-friendly option.
iPhone 16e
Released
2025
Chip
A18
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 26
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
Entry-level price, modern chip. Good crew device.
iPhone 17 / 17 Air
Released
2025
Chip
A19
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 26
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
17 Air is extremely thin — consider a case for caving.
iPhone 17e
Released
2026
Chip
A19
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 26
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
Most affordable current iPhone. Fully capable for survey work.
iPhone 18 / 18 Air / 18e * Coming soon
Released
Expected spring 2027
Chip
A20
LiDAR
No
Min iOS
iOS 27
SpeleoMap
Full — except LiDAR scanning
Notes
Not yet released. Expected spring 2027.
* Not yet available in stores.
Ready to survey? See the Cave Survey and Hike Line workflows.