Rumors have long suggested that Apple may bring back Touch ID to the iPhone, with the launch of the redesigned iPad Air with new Touch ID power button further fuelling those reports, and today reliable leaker L0vetodream has added to the rumors by claimed under-display Touch ID is coming to the iPhone in future.
Patents describing under-display Touch ID technology were discovered earlier in the year, showing Apple was working on a way to “capture a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or user that is proximate to a device,” such as a fingerprint, detailing a “Through-Display Optical Transmission, Reception, or Sensing Through Micro-Optic Elements” method.
Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo started off reports last year that Apple was looking at introducing a new device in 2021 that offers both Face ID and under-display Touch ID. Notably, it was initially rumored that Apple’s 2020 iPad Air, which became available to pre-order today, would support under-display Touch ID, although this turned into Touch ID being relocated to the power button.
In a tweet today, L0vetodream said: “MESA uts for iPhone.” As reported by 9to5Mac, Mesa is the codename that Apple uses internally for Touch ID, and “uts” is a clear abbreviation for “under the screen.”