Future Apple Watch Could Gain Touch ID and Under-Display Camera

Apple is researching adding Touch ID and an under-display camera to the Apple Watch, according to two newly-published patent applications.

apple watch patent touch id 1

The first patent, granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, was spotted by Patently Apple and is titled "Electronic device having sealed button biometric sensing system."

In short, the filing explains how a ‌Touch ID‌ fingerprint scanner could be integrated into the Side Button of an Apple Watch and what practical purposes it could serve:

The processor may apply the biometric identification for any of several purposes; for example, user identification, device unlocking, and application authorization.

It is easy to see why Apple could add ‌Touch ID‌ to the Apple Watch. Currently, the Apple Watch is dependent on use of a passcode and does not promt for it again until the device is removed from the wrist. Biometric authentication would allow Apple to guarantee Apple Watch users a superior level of security when putting on the device or making an Apple Pay transaction.

apple watch patent touch id 2

The implementation is extremely similar to the Power Button-based Touch ID sensor introduced on the fourth-generation iPad Air, which has also proven that the technology has shrunk over time and Apple continues to be interested in it for commercial applications.

The second filing, spotted by AppleInsider, is titled "Electronic devices with two-stage displays." It outlines how a display can be layered to contain a camera and a flash which are only externally visible when needed.

apple watch patent under display camera 1

The two-stage display technology would also work for other devices such as the iPhone, thereby eliminating the notch, but interestingly, the patent focuses on the Apple Watch.

The technology works by layering a pixel array for displaying images and an outer layer with an array of light modulator cells that can become transparent or block out light. Some of these cells "may be placed into a transparent mode to form a window" to allow the camera to function.

When it is desired to capture images, control circuitry in the electronic device may temporarily place the shutter in a transparent mode to allow light from a flash and/or light being imaged by the camera to pass.

apple watch patent under display camera 2

This two-stage display solution has the added benefit of each layer being able to react differently. For example, one layer could be fast-reacting for video or animations, while another could be slower for displaying static images or text. This may also improve the Apple Watch's battery life.

Although the patents do not necessarily reveal Apple's immediate plans for the Apple Watch, they do offer an interesting insight into what the company is researching and developing. Adding ‌Touch ID‌ and a camera would certainly present a major upgrade from current Apple Watch models.

In an interview last week Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted that more sensors could be coming to the Apple Watch, potentially giving these patents more weight. Asked about the future of the product, Cook said Apple is still "in the early innings" with the device, noting that the company is testing "mind blowing" capabilities in its labs. "Think about the amount of sensors in your car," said Cook, adding "and arguably, your body is much more important than your car." It is yet to be seen if ‌Touch ID‌ and a camera will be added to the Apple Watch any time soon, but it is not difficult to imagine Apple implementing them at some point in the future.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Tag: Patent
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

AirunJae Avatar
37 months ago

Please make it round, square watches are ugly. I hate the aesthetic.
Seems pretty unlikely (in the short term at least) for a number of reasons: 1 - It's identifiable as an Apple Watch/Apple device when you see something that's a squircle, 2 - Square is better for information density, 3 - App compatibility and not having to have a bifurcated system of apps, 4 - Continued band compatibility, although I suppose they might be able to design a circular watch in such a way with some mounts or something that they could make it work. That said, if Apple gets the Watch to a certain maturation point and they want to freshen it up and appeal to a different segment, I could see them doing it eventually. It just seems unlikely to be anytime soon.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
37 months ago
So what’s the point of Touch ID here? Replacing the passcode? How often does someone have to type the passcode on their Watch?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
37 months ago
I would be inclined to buy the watch just for the Touch ID option.

Tim, please release it next year.

Signed, Apple Watch fans of MacRumors
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djlythium Avatar
37 months ago
tID seems redundant and unnecessary for the Watch.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LeadingHeat Avatar
37 months ago

Huge step backward. You put the thing on and enter your passcode once and its authenticated as long as it remains on your wrist. At most you are asked to double click the side button to confirm some things, and we've seen from other a devices that adding bio auth doesn't necessarily replace that.
I was thinking the same thing. I hope they make this an optional layer of security. “Light” security being the passcode if it leaves the wrist, and Touch ID if you want “heavy” security
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AmazeSE Avatar
37 months ago

Please make it round, square watches are ugly. I hate the aesthetic.
I hope Apple never makes a round watch. It is the square shape which makes it unique and is also useful.

Traditional analog watches were round because the extra corners are useless similar to the Apple pizza box.
For a smart watch a square display is very useful for viewing content.

The Apple Watch ⌚️ looks really beautiful.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Concerns Highlighted in Two More Reports

Thursday September 28, 2023 6:25 am PDT by
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max overheating concerns continue to make headlines this week, with the topic highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. Both of the reports document anecdotal complaints from customers, and outline potential causes, but it's unclear how many devices are actually affected. Bloomberg said the overheating could be caused or compounded by the iPhone's setup...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
iPhone 15 USB C Port Keynote

Some USB-C Power Banks Fail to Work With iPhone 15

Thursday September 28, 2023 2:06 pm PDT by
Apple added a USB-C port to the iPhone 15 lineup this year, allowing it to work with USB-C cables, USB-C power banks, and more. It turns out that some USB-C battery packs are not working properly with Apple's iPhone 15, resulting in charging issues. As highlighted on Reddit and the MacRumors forums, not all existing USB-C power banks can be used with the iPhone 15 models, perhaps due to the...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...