Foldable iPhone Under-Screen Touch ID Rumor Dismissed by Analyst

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is standing by his prediction that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature Touch ID integrated into the side button rather than an under-display fingerprint sensor.

Apple Foldable Thumb
In a post on X (Twitter) today, Kuo referenced his March forecast for the rumored 2026 device: "Six months ago, I predicted the foldable iPhone would use side-button Touch ID." Kuo goes on:

"There are now market rumors that it will adopt an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, but I think that's unlikely. It's expected that Luxshare ICT will supply the side-button Touch ID module for the foldable iPhone."

Kuo's original prediction outlined a book-style foldable iPhone with an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch outer screen, priced between $2,000 and $2,500. He suggested Apple would skip Face ID authentication to save internal space in the folded design. Apple has already used side button-integrated Touch ID for the iPad Air and iPad mini, so the design choice is not unprecedented.

Camera-wise, the foldable iPhone is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states, according to Kuo.

Both Kuo and fellow analyst Jeff Pu say mass production is planned for the second half of 2026. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has said he expects the device to be launched next year in the fall season.

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Top Rated Comments

Rachid Vàzquez Avatar
7 weeks ago

I understand the space issue but for a flagship device to not have face ID seems strange to me. Yes in the iPad Air/Mini but they aren't flagship
Why put two Face ID sensors (one inside, one outside) when you could just use a single Touch ID?
It makes no sense from an engineering standpoint.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rachid Vàzquez Avatar
7 weeks ago

From a shareholders perspective which is the main and only customer for Apple. This makes perfect sense. Increase the price two-fold but downgrade it two-fold too.

Maximum profit.
Downgrade? Why would Touch ID be considered a downgrade? I don't get it...
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
latts Avatar
7 weeks ago
I understand the space issue but for a flagship device to not have face ID seems strange to me. Yes in the iPad Air/Mini but they aren't flagship
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac Fly (film) Avatar
7 weeks ago
Rumor dismissed as rumor.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ReliableSource Avatar
7 weeks ago
The threads about this just go to show how different people are and how differently they experience things, because I could never go back to Touch ID; there’s stuff I think I’d be fine with giving up but Touch ID would be a deal breaker. Every time I use Touch ID now on my MacBook or iPad I think “man I wish this thing had Face ID.”
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JCCL Avatar
7 weeks ago

Downgrade? Why would Touch ID be considered a downgrade? I don't get it...
Use an iPad Air. Then use and iPad Pro. FaceID is definitely way more convenient.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)