Analysts predict Apple’s next iPhone will feature facial recognition and a new, embedded Touch ID home button

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has published a research report over the weekend which notes the new technologies expected to launch within Apple’s next generation of smartphones, with Kuo reporting that Apple is gearing up to adopt a new flexible OLED display with 3D Touch capabilities.

Apple may switch to a film sensor from the current FPCB sensor in order to provide better 3D Touch user experience, as a film sensor offers higher sensitivity. Also, we expect the new OLED iPhone will come with a flexible OLED panel. To avoid deforming the form factor of the flexible OLED panel from touch operation pressure, a metal structural part will be placed under the film sensor to provide more robust structural support.

Interestingly, Ming-Chi Kuo also notes that the next line-up of iPhones, dubbed the ‘iPhone 8’ rather than ‘iPhone 7s’ which would follow the company’s usual naming cycle of ‘S’ upgrades, will feature a new facial recognition system for enhanced security, adding that uses will be able to use two-step Touch ID an dFacial Recognition to unlock their devices.

Judging by the bio-recognition patents that Apple has applied for, we believe it is leaning toward facial recognition technology rather than iris recognition. However, we note that the technical challenges of facial recognition include: (1) algorithms; (2) hardware design; and (3) the build-out of a database for verification and authentication, which could be time consuming. As such, before Apple can fully replace the fingerprint system with facial recognition, a combination of the two steps of bio-recognition could be a valid solution for enhancing transactions security.

As previously reported, Ming-Chi Kuo has speculated that the “10th anniversary” iPhone will feature a new edge-to-edge display, a glass body and potentially a wireless charging system.