When Apple first introduced the iPhone X back in 2017, one of its key additions was Face ID, a then-new authentication method that scans the user’s face to unlock the phone and perform other password-protected commands.
While Apple boasted that Face ID offers unparalleled security, not everyone was on board with it – its introduction also signalled the phasing out of Touch ID, a much-beloved feature which had been on every iPhone since the 5S.
If you’ve been holding back on getting the new iPhones due to the lack of Touch ID, here’s some (potentially) good news – the uncovering of a patent application suggests that Apple might be bringing Touch ID back in the form of an in-display fingerprint sensor.
The application – titled “Electronic device including pin hole array mask above optical image sensor and laterally adjacent light source and related methods” – was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office yesterday.
While that title probably means nothing to to the average layman, accompanying image demonstrates how tiny holes in the phone’s display would reflect light to recreate – and subsequently – read a fingerprint.
Putting these holes around the phone’s display would turn the entire screen into a fingerprint sensor, as opposed to the first-generation Touch ID’s use of the home button.
Of course, this isn’t exactly new – Flagship phones like the Samsung S10 and Huawei P30 (among others) are already rocking in-display fingerprint sensors, so Apple would definitely be playing catch-up in this respect.
Considering that most rumours circulating around the Internet suggest that the ever-divisive notch will remain, however, it’s possible that this year’s iPhones will come with both Face and Touch ID, which would really put Apple on the top of the proverbial security hill.
iPhones traditionally release sometime in September, so hopefully we won’t have to wait much longer to find out.
Header Image Credit: Vulcan Post
