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Apple's 2019 iPhones Won't Adopt Fingerprint on Display Technology

Tuesday September 4, 2018 10:23 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple doesn't plan to return to fingerprint recognition for biometric authentication features with its 2019 iPhone lineup, according to a new note to investors shared this morning by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo does not expect Apple's 2019 iPhones to support fingerprint on display technology, which would allow the iPhone to read a fingerprint through its display, doing away with the need for a physical Home button.


Instead, Apple is likely to continue to use the TrueDepth Camera System for Face ID as a biometric authentication method in the iPhone and other devices.

According to Kuo, Android manufacturers are keen to adopt fingerprint on display technology as a way to differentiate their devices from the iPhone.
All main Android brands currently treat FOD as the important function to differentiate themselves from iPhone (we expect 2H19 iPhone models will not support FOD). The reasons are as follows: (1) The user feedback on the iPhone is lower than expected. (2) The user feedback on the first FOD smartphone, Vivo's X21 FOD version, is higher than expected, and (3) FOD is the best fingerprint recognition solution for the full-screen design which is necessary for a high-end smartphone.
Kuo last year said that Android manufacturers were several years away from matching the iPhone's advanced Face ID technology. Companies like Samsung have adopted facial recognition, but not a secure 3D version like Apple has implemented, which is likely another reason Android manufacturers are focusing on fingerprint on display technology.


Over the course of the next year, Kuo expects an increasing number of Android manufacturers to adopt fingerprint on display functionality, encouraged by Vivo's implementation and advances in technology that will cut down on component pricing and experience.

By the first half of 2019, Kuo is counting on an uptick in fingerprint on display manufacturers, with "marked improvements for user experience" coming due to an upgrade to a larger aperture lens and ultrasonic fingerprint on display mass production.

Samsung, one of Apple's main competitors, is expected to adopt fingerprint on display technology for its Galaxy S10 during the first quarter of 2019.

Related Roundups: iPhone XS, 2019 iPhones
Tags: Ming-Chi Kuo, Android
Buyer's Guide: iPhone XS (Buy Now)
[ 187 comments ]


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farewelwilliams
10 weeks ago
Rather invest that money into making FaceID 10x faster and work in landscape.
Rating: 21 Votes
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OldSchoolMacGuy
10 weeks ago
Apple invested a lot in FaceID. I don't see them moving away from it and only expanding the usage across devices.
Rating: 19 Votes
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b0rg
10 weeks ago
I wish it came back, FaceID is not practical at all. When you phone is next you on you desk or on the couch and you want quick look you have to pick it up to unlock.
Rating: 19 Votes
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Gorms
10 weeks ago
As a man who has hair of variable length, both at the top and at the bottom of the head, I find myself using the passcode screen a lot. It's much vaunted learning capabilities are slightly oversold and the lack of landscape unlock or any degree in between the two is infuriating at times.

Whilst I'm not saying bin FaceID, I wouldn't be 100% sad if Apple did eventually adopt this, even alongside FaceID. Or just improved FaceID to the point I stop whining.
Rating: 16 Votes
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fokmik
10 weeks ago
i hope APple will make faceID even faster and put it on their macbook line and imac....it will be so convenient and so intuitive
Rating: 15 Votes
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mashdots
10 weeks ago
While this makes sense, I liked TouchID a lot. Here's hoping for a faster FaceID next week.
Rating: 14 Votes
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jaack
10 weeks ago

As a man who has hair of variable length, both at the top and at the bottom of the head, I find myself using the passcode screen a lot. It's much vaunted learning capabilities are slightly oversold and the lack of landscape unlock or any degree in between the two is infuriating at times.

Whilst I'm not saying bin FaceID, I wouldn't be 100% sad if Apple did eventually adopt this, even alongside FaceID. Or just improved FaceID to the point I stop whining.

Luckily in iOS 12 you can add an alternative appearance for situations like this
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
ipedro
10 weeks ago

As a man who has hair of variable length, both at the top and at the bottom of the head, I find myself using the passcode screen a lot. It's much vaunted learning capabilities are slightly oversold and the lack of landscape unlock or any degree in between the two is infuriating at times.

Whilst I'm not saying bin FaceID, I wouldn't be 100% sad if Apple did eventually adopt this, even alongside FaceID. Or just improved FaceID to the point I stop whining.


I don't see how this can be a problem. I'm a man who has a beard of variable length that literally covers my face and Face ID always adapts perfectly. I first registered my face with a full beard, then at some point, shaved my face clean. Face ID didn't skip a beat. I grow it for a couple of weeks and go back to clean shaved. It's never had a problem recognizing me.

To make it even harder on Face ID, I go from wearing glasses to contacts all the time. Again, Face ID knows it's me with or without glasses, with or without a beard, and even with a ball cap or without it. My appearance changes quite a bit. I can't see how hair is going to throw a challenge at Face ID since it pays attention to your face, not your hair.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
testcard
10 weeks ago
Face ID works great for me on an iPhone X and I’d never want a return to fingerprint recognition. I’d like to see it adopted across all Apple products.
Rating: 8 Votes
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MallardDuck
10 weeks ago
Another example where Design trumps everything at Apple. In this case, security, usability, and functionality all take a hit just so they can have a smooth pane of glass.
Rating: 7 Votes

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