Malcolm Owen
Apple considered reviving Touch ID for its flagship iPhone models, but despite undergoing testing, it's unlikely that the feature will be returning to the main smartphone lineup anytime soon.
The switch from Touch ID to Face ID has its benefits, as well as its pitfalls, but there is still some preference among users for the fingerprint reader. While sentiment for the older system is still strong, it appears that Apple won't be backtracking from Face ID on the iPhone within the next few generations.
In Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman writes that Apple has discussed the possibility of getting Touch ID on high-end iPhones once again.
Apple also reportedly tested features such as in-screen Touch ID, which previously surfaced in reports but ultimately didn't arrive in a final product. There is also a mention of trialling adding Touch ID to a power button, like the iPad Air 4, but that also didn't transpire.
"At this point, I believe Face ID is here to stay and Touch ID won't be returning to flagship iPhones - at least anytime in the forseeable future," writes Gurman.
While an iPhone 15 with Touch ID is probably out of the question, Gurman does suggest that a power button Touch ID could still be used on value-oriented models, like the iPhone SE.
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28 Comments
Why would they? FaceID is faster, more secure, easier, superior in every regard and has been since the iphoneX. Apple has said as much in plain English and that is what I have personally observed since upgrading to the iPhone XS in 2018. The only reason to use touchID now is if it’s a significantly cheaper component (hence keep it in value phones).
With face masks going out of style, the impetus to revive Touch ID has diminished.
With clever use of notch area into dynamic iceland gave new meaning to FaceID which basically works against to add on-screen touchid. For SE, if Apple can redesign SE with touchid on power button giving more screen area and change frame size few MM here and there can redefine perspective and put new life into cheaper iPhone.
Not crazy about the on button fingerprint sensor on my iPad Air. Works okay with no cover, but Apple’s magnetic cover having both a front and back cover makes seating the finger difficult. Waiting for face reader.