The iPhone 11 launch is just around the corner and if you think that the 2020 iPhone is casting a shadow over it; then you’re mistaken because the 2021 iPhone aka the iPhone 13’s details are emerging that will sweep you off your feet. As per a research note obtained by MacRumors, Apple will unveil an iPhone that will feature both Face ID as well as an on-display fingerprint sensor in 2021.
Kuo has made these predictions based on Apple patents that are related to continued use of technology on Apple’s Android rivals as well as a fingerprint on display technology (FOD); which imply that Apple will seek to add fingerprint scanning back on its smartphones.
Kuo states, “In terms of technology, we predict that four critical technical issues of FOD will significantly improve in 12–18 months, including module thickness, sensing area, power consumption, and lamination yield rate. Therefore, we believe that Apple will launch the new iPhone equipped with both Face ID and FOD to enhance security and convenience thanks to the multi-biometrics.”
Apple has ditched Touch ID altogether on its current iPhone flagships which include the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. Android manufacturers from China have gone ahead in terms of technology by embedding in-display fingerprint sensing technology in their smartphones. These handsets range from premium to mid-range models and are proving to be popular the world over.
Apple was believed to add Touch ID under the screen with the revolutionary iPhone X; however, Apple ditched these plans in favour of a more robust Face ID. Kuo states that Face ID and FOD are complementary and not competitive as multi-biometrics can offer secure logins where one or the other is simply unavailable.
MacRumors states, “Kuo believes that GIS and Qualcomm will benefit from iPhone's adoption of FOD, with the former providing the "large-area sensing ultrasonic" technology and the latter supplying the ultrasonic FOD module and lamination. Kuo also argues that the likelihood of FOD in iPhones will increase if Apple Watch supports a biometric function in the future.”
In July, sources claimed that Apple is looking to launch a smartphone for the budget-conscious Chinese market that would ditch Face ID for Touch ID. However, these unverified reports claimed that FOD will replace rather than compliment Face ID, which is considered expensive.
Later on, in July, Barclay’s analysts stated that Apple’s 2020 iPhones would feature an acoustic fingerprint technology that would allow for full-screen Touch ID. This information was provided following meetings with Apple’s Asian supply chain.
