Report: Touch ID Will Not Return on iPhone 16

Apple's iPhone 16 lineup will not see the return of Touch ID fingerprint authentication technology, a new report claims.

Touch ID Fingerprint Sensor Under Display Feature 2
The information comes from an integrated circuit expert on Weibo with a track record for sharing information about Apple's plans. In a new post, they explained that most of the equipment originally used to manufacture the chips required for the iPhone's version of ‌Touch ID‌ has apparently now been permanently shut down, with the only remaining units used for the third-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE, suggesting that Apple has no plans to resurrect ‌Touch ID‌ as a method to authenticate on the ‌iPhone‌ in the immediate future. It is also worth pointing out that there are no noteworthy rumors about the return of Apple's fingerprint scanning technology for the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup that are still dependable.

Reports suggest that the fourth-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE will feature Face ID, replacing the last ‌iPhone‌ model that still features ‌Touch ID‌. Even so, rumors persist that Apple is working on under-display fingerprint technology that could debut around 2026 – the same time frame that the company is ostensibly planning to move Face ID under the display of the device.

The Weibo source was first to report that the ‌iPhone‌ 14 would retain the A15 Bionic chip, with the A16 being exclusive to the ‌‌iPhone‌ 14‌ Pro models. They recently said that the chip designed for the upcoming ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌‌iPhone 16‌‌ Plus will be made using a distinct manufacturing process, differing fundamentally from the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro, to reduce production costs.

Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro

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Top Rated Comments

phill85 Avatar
20 months ago
…was anyone expecting it to?? ?
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SirAnthonyHopkins Avatar
20 months ago
Report: Intel chips will not return to 2024 MacBooks
Score: 46 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oldmacs Avatar
20 months ago

Good. Never worked right. Still not working on M2 Air. Human hands, too many variables for consistency versus security.
It doesn't work for you, but always worked fantastically for me and continues to on my personal and work Macs and my iPad.

I don't get why people are so against touch ID coming back ALONGSIDE FaceID - would give everyone the ability to use the tech they want.

I miss Touch ID even 2.5 years into owning a TouchID iPhone.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wonderings Avatar
20 months ago
There are plenty of time I would like touch ID. If I am in a meeting or somewhere I don't want to hold my phone up to properly scan my face Touch ID would be simple and easy. Sitting and looking down while holding a phone generally does not work for me. Not a feature I would lose sleep over with not being there, just think it is actually a handy thing and always nice to have options.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
slyronit Avatar
20 months ago
Why would anyone with half a brain expect it to return?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icanhazapple Avatar
20 months ago

Face ID "just works"
Unless you have your phone at the angle where Face ID "works" - no, it doesn't. I want to be able to unlock my iPhone from a distance, at any angle, like when I'm on laying on the couch or in bed and want to check something without having to position the phone in a way where Face ID can scan my face.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)