Wise Apple sage, seer, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated that Apple is looking to launch an iPhone equipped with both Face ID and an in-display fingerprint sensor in 2020.
In a recently released note to investors, Kuo based the prediction on Apple’s patents related to fingerprint on display (FOD) and the continued use of the technology in Android smartphones, which together suggest to him that Apple will opt to bring fingerprint scanning back to its smartphone screens.
Kuo offered the following quote:
“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 yet to implement fingerprint recognition in its iPhone smartphone lineup. Chinese mobile vendors, on the other hand, have gone the other route and included in-display fingerprint sensing technology in mid-range and premium smartphone models.
Apple was rumored to be attempting to integrate Touch ID within the display of the iPhone X, but switched its focus to the introduction of Face ID. Kuo, in turn, has stated that Face ID and FOD technologies are “complementary, not competitive,” and can offer additional levels of security as needed.
Apple has presently included Touch ID on its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebooks, so an iPhone with in-display fingerprint sensing technology might not be that far off.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via MacRumors