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iPhone Rumored to Include Iris Scanning Capabilities Starting in 2018
Apple is working on iPhones with iris scanning capabilities that could debut in 2018, reports DigiTimes in a wider piece about increasing interest in advanced biometric functionality in smartphones.
Iris scanning would potentially be used in place of Touch ID as a way to verify a user's identity, performing functions like making payments and unlocking an iOS device. Each person's iris, or the circular colored muscle of the eye, contains a complex and random pattern that is unique to each individual.
An iris recognition machine at the Schiphol Airport
Apple has been rumored to be looking into iris scanning in the past and it is a technology that is gaining interest in the smartphone arena. Samsung is said to be planning to debut its iris recognition technology as soon as next month with the introduction of the Galaxy Note 7.
Current iris scanning implementations have some notable benefits over Touch ID, including no need for direct contact to unlock a device and faster unlock speeds, but there are also drawbacks such as poor functionality in low lighting and issues with performance following alcohol consumption and eye surgery.
DigiTimes is not always a reliable source of information, so the rumor should be viewed with some skepticism until confirmed, but KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes Apple is planning on introducing new biometric features in a future iPhone, which could include either facial or iris scanning. Kuo's rumor pertained to the 2017 iPhone, but it's always possible such an advanced feature won't be ready to debut until a later date.
There are no rumors about the 2018 iPhone as of yet, but it will follow the 2017 iPhone, which is rumored to feature radical design changes in the form of an edge-to-edge OLED display with no home button and a camera and Touch ID sensor that are integrated into the screen. Wireless charging, a faster A11 processor, and a fully glass body like the iPhone 4 are also possibilities for the device and will likely also be seen in the follow-up 2018 iPhone.
Iris scanning would potentially be used in place of Touch ID as a way to verify a user's identity, performing functions like making payments and unlocking an iOS device. Each person's iris, or the circular colored muscle of the eye, contains a complex and random pattern that is unique to each individual.
Apple has been rumored to be looking into iris scanning in the past and it is a technology that is gaining interest in the smartphone arena. Samsung is said to be planning to debut its iris recognition technology as soon as next month with the introduction of the Galaxy Note 7.
Current iris scanning implementations have some notable benefits over Touch ID, including no need for direct contact to unlock a device and faster unlock speeds, but there are also drawbacks such as poor functionality in low lighting and issues with performance following alcohol consumption and eye surgery.
DigiTimes is not always a reliable source of information, so the rumor should be viewed with some skepticism until confirmed, but KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes Apple is planning on introducing new biometric features in a future iPhone, which could include either facial or iris scanning. Kuo's rumor pertained to the 2017 iPhone, but it's always possible such an advanced feature won't be ready to debut until a later date.
There are no rumors about the 2018 iPhone as of yet, but it will follow the 2017 iPhone, which is rumored to feature radical design changes in the form of an edge-to-edge OLED display with no home button and a camera and Touch ID sensor that are integrated into the screen. Wireless charging, a faster A11 processor, and a fully glass body like the iPhone 4 are also possibilities for the device and will likely also be seen in the follow-up 2018 iPhone.
Related Roundup: iPhone 8
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Top Rated Comments
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44 months ago
No - please make iris scanning an additional form of security NOT a replacement for fingerprints.
44 months ago
No - please make iris scanning an additional form of security NOT a replacement for fingerprints.
So far there has been a lot of information leaked about how the iris scanner is supposed to work--and more important not work--on the Note 7 and Apple is wise to wait until 2018.Right now the Note 7's scanner doesn't play nice with glasses, contacts, puffy eyes, narrowed eyes, poor lighting conditions, bright lighting conditions, and must be a certain distance away from your eyes or it will do something not very nice to your eyeballs. So basically I have a better chance of turning into a werewolf than I have of it working for me. ;)
44 months ago
Man, if this is true Apple will be releasing their version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 in 2017. Then the 2018 model will be their Note 7. I love iCloud and iOS but hardware trailing 2 years behind is getting frustrating.
44 months ago
I think these rumours are becoming more and more absurd. Can we say that leaks are now safely contained at Apple and that rumour mills are now churning out ridiculousness in order to keep people commenting so they can get ad revenues?
44 months ago
Man, if this is true Apple will be releasing their version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 in 2017. Then the 2018 model will be their Note 7. I love iCloud and iOS but hardware trailing 2 years behind is getting frustrating.
Except that when Apple releases it you can actually use it, and people do. When Samsung releases something it's typically a kluge, doesn't work as advertised, and people play with it for 5 minutes, then ignore it.
44 months ago
Who's Iris...??? 
('http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true')
Actually, law enforcement has been using iris scanning to detect alcohol restriction violations for years now.
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