Is Apple preparing to abandon Touch ID on iPhones?

Today’s speculation claims Apple has abandoned Touch ID for iPhones and has put a stop to manufacturing the Touch ID components used in its smartphones.

Maybe, maybe not

While I think the speculation is a little sketchy – a Weibo post by someone who has some track record for Apple hardware leaks – it makes some sense. After all, the only device now running Touch ID is the iPhone SE which we think Apple will upgrade around spring.

The only discordant notes are that Touch ID is also used in some Macs, iPads, and accessories, but it’s conceivable this relies on different components, which seems to be implied by these latest claims. It’s also not unreasonable to consider that Apple may migrate its devices to Face ID next year as new models ship.

There are two approaches Apple may be about to take:

• Approach 1: Put FaceID in all iPhones.
• Approach 2: Put a new under-display Touch ID system together.

The first approach will be a lot less expensive to put in place.

Apple has been thought to be working on under display authentication for years. There has also been occasional speculation the company plans to pop the Face ID sensors under the display, replacing the notch and Dynamic Island with – nothing.

It is plausible Apple’s scientists have figured out how to build an under display biometric authorization system that can accept both Face and Touch. In the context of increased security challenges, it may even make sense to require both forms of authorization for some tasks, but we’ll wait and see about that.

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