iPhone 8 to have infrared face-detection

A glyph representing the iPhone 8 found in the firmware seems to confirm the validity of earlier design leaks. (Source: MacRumors)

Developers have found hints inside Apple's early HomePod firmware that point to the iPhone 8 making use of infrared facial recognition. The entries were found in the BiometricKit framework, which is where TouchID also resides.

Douglas Black, Published 07/31/2017

It is starting to seem like there's a new tidbit of news published about the iPhone 8 every day now, but with so many expectations set for the iPhone 8 "supercycle", it's understandable why many are interested in Apple's next flagship smartphone. The latest news is that the iPhone 8 will use infrared facial detection, and the earlier renders of the Essential-esque design for the phone seem to have been accurate, according to data hidden inside firmware for Apple's upcoming HomePod speaker/smart assistant.

More than one developer has dug into the firmware and confirmed that they contain references to infrared sensors in the BiometricKit framework. The BiometricKit framework now references arguments starting with "BKFaceDetectStateInfo", including lines suggesting it will notify the user if they are too close, too far, or obstructed when being scanned to (presumably) unlock the phone or authorize payment. Infrared sensors for facial recognition, the same technology used by Windows Hello, avoids the possibility of someone using a photograph of the user to unlock the phone — something the Galaxy S8 and S8+ were quickly found to succumb to.

The iPhone 8 is expected to launch in September.