Recent reports claim that the iPhone 13 will not come with Face ID. This technology has been in use for 3 or 4 years since the introduction of the iPhone X. Further actions caused by the global pandemic eventually push Apple to cancel the technology. However, there are still reports that Apple will combine both Touch ID and Face ID. However, the overall effect is not very good. If Apple were to use this combination, it would have to make some optimizations.
The latest speculation is that the iPhone 13 will be Apple's first full-screen phone. As of today, there is no notch, water drop or hole in the display images. While it's beautiful to look at, it doesn't feel like reality. It is not clear how the iPhone 13 will hide the front camera, speaker and series of sensors.
According to MauriQHD, the notchless iPhone 13 will have the same frame thickness on all four sides. The new generation of iPhones is expected to introduce in-screen fingerprint recognition, using Qualcomm's latest ultra-thin fingerprint sensor. The technology was first teased and released during CES 2021, and it may debut in the iPhone 13.
More news is that the iPhone 13 will be equipped with an LTPO screen provided by Samsung, which means that the screen refresh rate is expected to ditch the traditional 60Hz and go directly to 120Hz.
Apple Touch ID is back
In September 2013, at the iPhone 5s conference, Apple introduced Touch ID based on fingerprint recognition. This was the beginning of the fingerprint recognition trend throughout the smartphone industry. Four years later, Apple replaced iPhone Touch ID with Face ID on the iPhone X. While Face ID became popular in the industry, it never replaced fingerprint recognition on Android phones. However, it was done for Apple and the three new series did not use Touch ID. With all that, it seems that the company has not completely abandoned iPhone Touch ID. Recent reports suggest that Apple may use both Face ID and Touch ID (in-screen fingerprint) in its 2021 iPhones.
Touch ID returns with an in-display fingerprint sensor
Recently, there have been several reports of the return of iPhone Touch ID. Many of these reports come from reputable sources, origins of which are mostly correct.
In mid-January 2020, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman claimed that Apple would introduce an under-display fingerprint reader in its 2021 iPhones. This will give users the option to unlock their iPhone with a fingerprint, Face ID, or passcode. For Apple, this addition is necessary in today's world of regular mask wearing. Of course, mask or not, many users like to use fingerprint recognition because it is very convenient. Mark Gurman also said that while fingerprint recognition is returning, Apple will still keep facial recognition on the iPhone.
Given the accuracy of Mark Gurman's previous releases, the return of iPhone Touch ID is most likely true.
In addition to Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal also confirmed the news in recent reports. According to a report, two anonymous former Apple employees claim that Apple is indeed developing under-display fingerprint technology. The company is also considering incorporating Touch ID and Face ID into the same device.
Apple is not a complete novice with in-display fingerprint technology. Back in 2014, Apple had relevant patents. A recent Apple patent revealed that users can tap their fingers anywhere on the screen to unlock.
Touch ID is back, but the HOME button will eventually become history
Since 2018, Face ID has become the only biometric identification option for the new iPhone. However, it appears that while Face ID is great for security, many users still prefer Touch ID fingerprint recognition, and in the context of the 2020 pandemic outbreak, Face ID also appears to be problematic when users wear masks. Many inconveniences make the convenience of Touch ID more noticeable.
In this case, a combination of Touch ID and Face ID can be a solution that takes into account both security and convenience. Interestingly, in the Android camp, some flagship models have already adopted a combination of fingerprint recognition + face recognition, for example, the Huawei Mate 30 Pro.
