We've taken apart the VL53L0X sensor. So why not the VL53L1X?

Here's the package with protective Kapton tape:

Stop you're making me blush:

Removing the IR filters, you can now see some optics. This is different to the VL53L0X sensor as this sensor has an adjustable field of view:

Now taking the whole package apart, we have access to the die:

Interestingly the sensor die is practically identical to the VL53L0X sensor except for some capacitors on the left.

Now it makes sense that the footprint on the VL53L1X is identical to the VL53L0X.

It seems they are mostly making improvements to the front end avalanche diodes to allow them to be more sensitive to the returning light. Hence the similarities to the VL53L0X.

Here's the block diagram of the VL53L1X: