Apple is reportedly testing in-screen Touch ID for this year’s new iPhone, according to Bloomberg, which suggests the next iPhone is internally being referred to as an “S” year upgrade, suggesting 2021’s iPhones will likely be minor upgrades compared to last year’s iPhone 12.
Within a new report today, Bloomberg author Mark Gurman says: “Apple isn’t planning major changes for this year’s iPhone line given the enhancements made to the smartphone in 2020, including 5G and new designs, according to people familiar with the situation. Inside Apple, engineers consider the next iPhones another “S” version of the device, the nomenclature typically given to new iPhones with minor upgrades.”
“Though overall changes will be minor, Apple is still testing a key upgrade for 2021: an in-screen fingerprint reader. This would add a new method for users to unlock their iPhone, going beyond a passcode and Face ID facial recognition.”
In-screen Touch ID has been rumored for some time, with patents published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office showing how Apple is experimenting with optical under-display fingerprint reading technology after beginning to transition away from Touch ID to Face ID on the iPhone since 2017.
Within the report, which says AirTags will finally make an appearance this year after being pushed back from their original 2020 launch date, Bloomberg says Apple has also “discussed removing the charging port for some iPhone models in favor of wireless charging” but at this point, it isn’t known if this will be for this year’s new iPhone models or for a future update.