Touch ID is an integral part of the whole iPhone experience. The second generation Touch ID allows users to securely unlock their iPhone, make purchases and more in a split second. According to KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo Touch ID is not going to be part of the upcoming iPhone 8. The disappointing tidbit notes that Apple will do away the Touch ID sensor from its flagship iPhone while also removing the physical home button, replacing it with a virtual one.
Before we get into details about the ridiculous claim from KGI analyst lets also mention what else he wrote in his new report about Apple’s next iPhone. According to Kuo, iPhone 8 will be the smartphone with the highest screen-to-body ratio available in the market. This according to him will be achieved due to earpiece and front camera cutout on the top of the device.
The report also notes the device will have a 5.8-inch edge-to-edge OLED display out of which 5.2-inches will be useable while the rest will be reserved for the so called function area, which will dynamically display buttons and controls based on what’s on screen at the moment. The body of the iPhone 8 will be made up of stainless steel and glass materials. Other details in the report include iPhone will come in fewer colors than the current models.
Also read: Four iOS 11 Changes That Reveal iPhone 8 Design
Coming back to the all important claim of the iPhone 8 will not have Touch ID at all, KGI says contrary to popular belief that Apple will incorporate fingerprint scanner in the OLED display (or at the very least at the back of the device) Apple will simply remove the all important security feature. Instead iPhone 8 will rely on facial recognition technology to allow users to unlock their devices.
We have heard reports that Apple will include an improved front camera in its next iPhone, which will be capable of supporting 3D Depth Sensing and allow users to take better selfies. But the question that arises is will Apple’s 3D Depth Sensing technology be good enough to replace the reliable Touch ID sensor? Seems unlikely.
The reason for abrupt removal of Touch ID from the future iPhone according to KGI is that Apple couldn’t solve the technical issues that were present in the fingerprint scanner under the display.
Read our full iPhone 8 coverage here.
