Apple’s iPhone 12 could introduce an under-the-display fingerprint scanner, according to reports from Economic Daily News.
It had previously been suggested that the under-display technology would not be ready in time for the 2020 iPhones, but a new Chinese report suggests that BOE and Qualcomm have been collaborating on new ultrasonic technology set for release in September.
Last year, the same news source suggested that one of the 2020 iPhones would feature a new under-the-glass Touch ID fingerprint scanner alongside Face ID to better protect users and their data, but this was squashed when others revealed it wouldn’t be coming until 2021.
Indeed, reliable analysts including Ming-Chi Kuo have warned that the technology would not be ready for 2020 and that Apple would launch a successor to Touch ID by the end of 2021.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg too suggested that the technology would be pushed until 2021, but an anonymous Twitter account recently teased an iPad with an under-display Touch ID was coming.
Apple would not be the first company to offer under-the-display fingerprint technology, as other technology firms have included both optical and ultrasonic displays to bypass the home button and create a device that looks like a single piece of glass. Apple’s, however, will likely use more advanced technology that allows it to be used across the whole display.
The company will drop four new iPhones this year – two successors to the iPhone 11 and one each for the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. These models were due to be unveiled and sold in September, but rumors point to a delay due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Would you be here for an under-the-display Touch ID? Can you see Apple introducing this in the 2020 iPhone? Let us know and check back soon for more iPhone 12 news and rumors.