iPhone 8 units of the future will no longer feature Touch ID. Instead, Apple plans to use a two-step facial and fingerprint bio-recognition technology.
Touch ID. KGI Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed to AppleInsider that he believes Apple is developing new bio-recognition technologies. In particular, they are being developed for "full face" zero-bezel displays.
Kuo went on to say that he believes Apple will soon be replacing their existing Touch ID technology with optical fingerprint readers. The Touch ID is a capacitive-type fingerprint sensing module that was introduced with iPhone 5s. Basically, a 500ppi sensor capable of scanning the skin to obtain a 3D map of a fingerprint was incorporated into the Apple smartphones' and tablets' home buttons.
Touch ID sends a small electrical charge by way of a stainless steel metal ring through a user's finger. While there is a layer of glass on top of it, the home button makes it difficult to incorporate this technology on full-face screens.
3D Touch? Kuo also predicts that Apple will start using optical type fingerprint sensing technology. This will make use of OLED panels without the need for capacitive charge components. In effect, the other systems will no longer be needed. A completely uniform screen surface with this technology can be achieved. This will allow for a better-looking smartphone altogether.
According to recent patent filings, the Cupertino tech giant has been working on such fingerprint sensors. The patent suggests that optical fingerprint modules can be included with flexible OLED panels.
Flexible OLED displays are ideal because they feature less signal interference. In addition, they also have a thinner form factor and lower pixel densities.
While this technology has only just begun, OLED display manufacturers are under a lot of pressure to provide more displays with customized designs. There have even been reports circulating that the latest Apple iPhone 8 smartphone may cause an OLED shortage.
The Cupertino tech company is also expected to incorporate facial recognition hardware. While it is unsure if this will be used in its latest phone along with 3D Touch, it is expected that Apple's latest smartphone will put them back on the map. iPhone sales have not been off to a good start. Hopefully, the latest model will bring better sales for Apple.
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