Apple Tested Under-the-Screen Touch ID for the iPhone 13, Then Scrapped It
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Many iPhone owners don’t miss the space-stealing Home button, but they pine for Touch ID’s fingers-on authentication. Rumors suggest Apple has been working on bringing back Touch ID to its Face ID-equipped iPhones, but that technology has yet to materialize.
Now, the latest leak from well-known insider Mark Gurman hints that Apple was testing under-the-screen Touch ID in the iPhone 13 but removed the technology early in the testing phase.
Apple removed the beloved Touch ID sensor in 2017 and replaced it with Face ID. Not only is Face ID more convenient and secure, but it also let Apple equip the iPhone with a full-length display.
Face ID may have some benefits, but not everyone likes this form of hands-free authentication.
Touch ID has many loyal fans, and Apple reportedly has been working to bridge the gap between Face ID and Touch ID.
Apple won’t give up its full-length display and is looking at ways to embed Touch ID into or underneath the display.
The company has a slew of patents with different methods to bring back Touch ID. Although, the process of bringing back Touch ID is reportedly at a standstill.
According to a weekly report from Gurman, Apple tested Touch ID in iPhone 13 prototypes using under-the-screen fingerprint sensors.
The technology isn’t ready for prime time and won’t be included in the production model iPhone 13.
While Apple had tested in-screen Touch ID for the next flagship iPhones, it won’t make the cut this year. I believe Apple is all-in on Face ID for its higher-end iPhones, and its long-term goal is to implement Face ID in the display itself.
Mark Gurman
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 13 as part of its annual September event. Unlike last year which saw delays, the company is on track to deliver the iPhone 13 on time. This would place the launch at the end of September with a press event at the beginning of the month.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
