Rumor has it that Apple’s tenth anniversary iPhone would bring along some of the most radical design changes. We already know that Cupertino is getting rid of the physical home button to introduce new biometric authentication solutions in its device. With regards to the same, a fresh report with details of an integrated fingerprint ID solution for the iPhone 8 has been making rounds of the internet.
Citing industry sources, DigiTimes reports that Apple is looking to combine an algorithm from AuthenTec (a company acquired by it in 2012) with glass identification technology from Privaris (a biometric security firm acquired in 2015) to develop its own fingerprint technology. The sensor will be placed under the iPhone’s OLED display, thus, replacing the Touch ID sensor and the capacitive home button. This development was first reported by DigiTimes. It states,
Apple has selected neither Synaptics’ Natural ID touch fingerprint sensor nor Qualcomm’s Sense ID fingerprint technology for its new OLED iPhones, and decided to use its own Authentec algorithm combined with Privaris glass identification technology to redesign a new fingerprint ID solution, according to industry sources.
Further, the report goes on to mention that Apple is looking to bring in additional authentication mechanisms to further bolster the feature set of the upcoming iPhone. Sources close to DigiTimes suggests that it could use alternatives such as ultrasound whereas the prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from KGI Securities favors the iris or facial recognition tech. And since speculations run wild, analysts also expect the iPhone 8 (also being called iPhone X, because it being the 10th-anniversary edition) to feature AR (augmented reality) features as well.
The upcoming OLED iPhone will also feature a built-in fingerprint sensor device, instead of traditional capacitive touch technology, and use biometric authentication systems such as ultrasound, the sources indicated.
In addition, DigiTimes — not the most reliable source for Apple product rumors — cites sources within Apple’s supply chain to suggest that the company won’t start production until September this year. This means official release of the iPhone 8 will happen somewhere around November, which is highly unlikely. Other reports about the production have instead speculated that the company is expected to expedite the process and churn out chips/displays by the end of this quarter.
Apple’s in-house developed fingerprint ID solution will be fabricated at TSMC’s 12-inch line using 65nm process technology, said the sources, adding that production for the new OLED iPhone is unlikely to start until September due to the redesigned fingerprint ID solution.
Thus, we would suggest you to take these speculations with a grain of salt as nothing is set in stone as of yet. The only thing we’re really sure of is the fact that Apple WILL introduce radical changes with this smartphone. It is expected to feature a curved OLED display, no home button, fingerprint sensor, wireless charging and most likely a facial recognition sensor which would also have AR applications. This new iPhone is easily going to be priced above 1,000 dollars, according to analysts.
