There is not long to go until Apple launches its (strangely branded) new iPhone 11 range. Given we already know the mains upgrades and points of contention, millions of fans will have already made up their mind. But new information suggests you should think again.
In a major exclusive, Bloomberg’s intrepid duo Mark Gurman and Debby Wu have revealed Apple is working to bring Touch ID back to the iPhone with an all-new in-display version of it ready for iPhones as soon as next year. And even Face ID fans should be excited.
The reporters reveal the technology is already in testing “both inside Apple and among the company’s overseas suppliers” and “Suppliers have proven their ability to integrate the technology into iPhones”. Moreover, the reinvention of Touch ID will not replace Face ID, it will work alongside it to give users the best of both worlds.
Such flexibility is not just useful, the strengths and weakness of the two technologies mesh perfectly), it is essential for Apple because the two can be used in combination to deliver military-grade security. And with Apple already filing patents for iPhones to replace your passport dual biometrics would be how the company pulls this off.
Furthermore, Apple has not been quiet about its plans. The company has submitted five in-display Touch ID patent filings since December (1,2,3,4,5) and, this being Apple, it has shown how user fingerprints will not simply be scanned but mapped and 3D modelled.
Bloomberg does warn that Apple still has mass-production challenges to overcome and, if it struggles, the release could slip to 2021. But here’s the thing: in-display Touch ID would only be the cherry on top because’s Apple’s 2020 iPhones will be a landmark year. For example, we already know Apple will deliver a notch-free design, bigger and smaller screen sizes, 120Hz ProMotion displays, drop Lighting to finally switch to USB-C, add 3D cameras and introduce 5G.
So if you had already made up your mind to buy an iPhone 11, you might want to think again. 2019 will bring the mildest of evolutions. 2020 is when the revolution begins.