Touch ID to be replaced with ‘function area’ on iPhone 8 display
According to KGI researcher Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will replace the Touch ID sensor with a never before seen “function” area on the iPhone 8 display. It’s believed that the next generation device will feature a full-screen design allowing for the area to be included.
The upcoming handset is expected to sport a 5.8-inch OLED display, but still maintain the body of the 4.7-inch iPhone 7. Reportedly due to the addition of the new controls, the active display area on “iPhone 8” will be closer to 5.15 inches on the diagonal.
The latest report fails to indicate how the feature would be implemented, but implies that Apple will hardcode a set of always-on, static system controls into iOS. This would match up with a report written by The New York Times late last year claiming the 2017 iPhone will feature virtual buttons rather than physical controls.
It wasn’t explicitly stated what would replace Touch ID, but it is believed to be some kind of 3D laser scanning module that is capable of facial recognition and augmented reality applications. Apple was granted a patent earlier this week for a micro LED display capable of detecting touch events and user fingerprints. This could mean that a fingerprint could be used as a secondary form of authentication.
As reported earlier in the week, it’s estimated that the “iPhone 8” will come with a price tag starting at about $1,000. To put that into perspective that’s about a 50% to 60% jump in production costs compared to the alleged “iPhone 7s” LCD models.