Apple took Touch ID in iPhones away, leaving nothing but a Face ID-enabled notch in its place, in 2017 with the X. This may have been frustrating for many fans, particularly as the Covid-19 era wears on. Now, a new leak suggests the Cupertino giant is prepared to adapt to habitual mask-wearing while also finally picking a trend Android OEMs have been into for years.
ITHome does now indeed assert that Apple is indeed on the brink of re-introducing Touch ID. However, the iconic circular Home button normally required for it is not coming back. Instead, it will be integrated directly into the display, as with various other flagship mobile devices for the last number of years.
This latest leak suggests that Apple is finally ready to follow suit as it has now fully transitioned to using OLED for its premium iPhones, whereas LCD is becoming less and less lucrative and high-end as time goes on. This, apparently, makes it easier for the company to develop in-display Touch ID.
Its putative inclusion in 2021 iPhones may make them less iterative of an update compared to the 12 series as they have been so depicted in leaks to date. Nevertheless, new biometrics or no, they are projected to turn out with a very similar design to these existing devices, notches, flat edges and all.