Apple may reportedly abandon the Touch ID fingerprint sensor in favor of facial recognition beginning next year.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently issued a note, retracting his previous statement that the tech giant would readopt the Touch ID if the iPhone X biometric security fails to impress consumers. This time, he claims that it is not contingent anymore. Apple is finally going all-in on 3D sensing.
"We believe this change will allow all new models to realize a competitive advantage via differentiation, on the back of an integrated user experience of full-screen design and TrueDepth Camera/ Facial recognition/ Face ID/ AR applications," he explained, per Mac Rumors.
Apple introduced its new Face ID scanner last month at its iPhone press event. The feature, according to Fortune, can scan a person's face with the use of a variety of technology including infrared and a camera. Once a person's identity is verified, access to iOS and Apple Pay will be granted.
Apparently, this will continue being the "key selling point" of the new iPhone models in 2018. The Cupertino-based company may still be facing manufacturing difficulties with the feature at this point, but Kuo says it will capitalize on its lead in 3D sensing design and production. Hence, all iPhones from here on out could ditch Touch ID for good. This way, the company can also create a full-screen design, unlike its rivals.
Apple has launched its Touch ID fingerprint sensor in 2013, debuting in the iPhone 5s. Like Face ID, it has been used to give users access to iOS and verify mobile purchases.
Meanwhile, Kuo also said in a different note earlier this week that he also expects to see the iPad Pro sport the new facial recognition system sometime next year when the line is updated. Then again, there have been very few real-life tests of Face ID, so Kuo's forecasts may still change over time.
