Assessing the photogrammetric potential of a smartphone device with integrated dual-frequency GNSS

Abstract. Photogrammetric 3D surveys generally rely on high-end professional cameras and ground control points, whose placement and measurement can be time-consuming, error-prone, or even hazardous in inaccessible environments. GNSS-assisted photogrammetry provides a viable alternative by directly linking image capture with centimetre-level GNSS positioning, eliminating the need for GCPs. However, such systems typically rely on high-end cameras and professional GNSS equipment, which are costly, bulky, and demand expert operation. Recent advances in smartphone technology, combining high-resolution cameras, multi-frequency GNSS, and inertial sensors, suggest the potential for these devices to function as integrated platforms for low-cost, lightweight, and accessible photogrammetric surveying. Despite challenges related to antenna quality, signal noise, and limited documentation of sensor characteristics, postprocessing strategies have shown that smartphones can achieve decimetre- to centimetre-level positioning accuracy under favourable conditions. This study investigates the performance of an Android smartphone equipped with a dual-frequency (L1, L5) GNSS receiver and high-resolution camera as a standalone device for terrestrial photogrammetry. The research evaluates its capacity to deliver metrically accurate, georeferenced 3D models without external surveying instruments, thereby assessing the feasibility of smartphones as a compact, cost-effective alternative to professional-grade systems in field mapping applications.