Apple again reported to be planning in-display Touch ID for 2020 iPhones

Sources reportedly familiar with Apple's supply chain say that a new Touch ID fingerprint system is already being tested for next year's iPhone.

A new report claims that Apple is currently testing an iPhone model with a new version of Touch ID that uses sensors underneath the display. Rather than the previously separate home button, or the notch needed for Face ID to work, users would be able to touch their iPhone screen to have it register their fingerprint.

According to a report on Thursday from Bloomberg, unnamed sources say this technology is intended for the 2020 iPhones. However, the sources caution that it may slip back to the 2021 releases instead.

Apple has been said to be working on in-display Touch ID for some time, with certain patents regarding the technology being revealed in February. Still another patent was uncovered in April.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also claimed that this version of Touch ID will be coming to the iPhone. In August was saying he expected it to be in either the 2020 or 2021 models.

The new report in Bloomberg says that Apple's suppliers have yet to manage mass-producing the technology. Smartphones from rivals including Samsung currently offer an equivalent.

In Apple's case, the Touch ID system would likely in tandem with the newer Face ID, rather than replace it. As well as authentication, Face ID is also the basis for certain augmented reality and camera photography features.

The report also repeats recent speculation about Apple making a lower-cost iPhone next year. Separately, one claimed method of cutting costs could be reverting to a Touch ID-only device.

It isn't clear if Thursday's report is based on new sources of information, or is repeating old information.

Apple's 2019 iPhones are to be unveiled at an event on September 10.

23 Comments

chaicka 257 comments · 14 Years

About 5 years ago

Hmmm....piece a few 'rumours' together and it should arrive at: low end model iPhone SE will finally discard the Touch ID home button and align to full-size screen like its higher end siblings (iPhone XR, Xs and Xs Max in 2018, perhaps named as iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max in 2019) by 2020 (in an optimistic perspective).

blastdoor 3568 comments · 15 Years

More biometrics == better, both for usability and security.

For a super secure mode, they could require finger print, faceid, and perhaps even voice recognition.

for a more flexible mode, require any one of those three.

Soli 9981 comments · 9 Years

blastdoor said:

More biometrics == better, both for usability and security.

For a super secure mode, they could require finger print, faceid, and perhaps even voice recognition.

for a more flexible mode, require any one of those three.

I agree. Give me the option to have Touch ID for security with ease if I happen to have a twin or a teenage child that could trick Face ID. Give me the option to have Face ID if my fingerprint ridges don't trigger Touch ID effectively because of my age, medications, job, etc. If I'm within the typical range where both work well, give me the option to use both to allow for additional security for more secure items that I deem need more security. Although I don't see that last one happening with Apple.

PS: I'd also like my poison-finger option added so that a specific finger can lockdown the device and disable biometrics, but I don't see that happening when Apple still displays message info on a lock screen that has not been authenticated with a passcode after a restart.

seankill 566 comments · 15 Years

I have TouchiD for my iPhone 7 and faceID for my iPad, I prefer TouchID, in my experience, it works just as fast and is more reliable. I can see faceID being useful if my hands are wet though or have gloves on.

freethinking 92 comments · 8 Years

Soli said:

blastdoor said:

More biometrics == better, both for usability and security.

For a super secure mode, they could require finger print, faceid, and perhaps even voice recognition.

for a more flexible mode, require any one of those three.

I agree. Give me the option to have Touch ID for security with ease if I happen to have a twin or a teenage child that could trick Face ID. Give me the option to have Face ID if my fingerprint ridges don't trigger Touch ID effectively because of my age, medications, job, etc. If I'm within the typical range where both work well, give me the option to use both to allow for additional security for more secure items that I deem need more security. Although I don't see that last one happening with Apple.

PS: I'd also like my poison-finger option added so that a specific finger can lockdown the device and disable biometrics, but I don't see that happening when Apple still displays message info on a lock screen that has not been authenticated with a passcode after a restart.

Better for anyone wanting to easily unlock you phone with minimal / no force required. Also ditto to privacy...

I do like the concept of the poison finger, tricky part would be avoiding it accidentally firing it off. Although I do get that finger id is the norm and anyone under 40 does not give a shit about privacy.