Will the Touch ID security feature of the iPhone be replaced soon?

A well-known analyst and forecaster of Apple's business moves has raised the possibility of Cupertino revamping its existing biometric and security features in 2017 iPhones.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple might explore various new technologies such as better sensors and even a facial recognition system that it can incorporate into the latest installations of the iPhone. That includes the iPhone 8 and the mysterious iPhone X.

The question is whether the Touch ID will be replaced completely.

Recent predictions have stated that the new iPhones to be released later in the year will likely have remarkable features such as an embedded Home button, 5.8 inch "fixed flex" edge-to-edge display, wireless charging, and a glass body.

Rumors regarding the iPhone 8 perhaps having augmented reality camera features also circulated alongside reports of possible advanced biometric capabilities.

Adapting To Edge-To-Edge Design

In the new report, Kuo believes that Apple may yet switch their current FCPB sensor to a film sensor to provide better sensitivity and user experience. As the new OLED iPhone is expected to have an edge-to-edge display, Kuo expects that it will also come with a flexible OLED panel. Under its film sensor, a metal structure will likely be placed for solid structural support.

Touch ID And Facial Recognition

Given the radical new design of the upcoming iPhones, Kuo expects the company to explore various ways to develop a new Touch ID technology to match the full screen.

A likely result, Kuo says, is the placement of the fingerprint recognition "under panel" as compared to the current iPhones on the market with an "under glass" placement. The move not just complements the iPhone's new design, but also enhances the phone's security.

Apple's interest in biometric tech, however, points to the company's likelihood of replacing the current Touch ID security feature with facial recognition technology.

Recent bio-recognition patent applications of Apple provide clues that the company is more likely to develop a facial recognition technology rather than the initially expected iris scanner. Whether the company plans to completely bypass the Touch ID and rely solely on facial recognition is still unknown.

The company's exploration of new security features is always welcome, of course. The Touch ID system, for instance, has been questioned about its merits as a viable security feature. While some believe that the system upped the security game of their iPhones, others find that the feature offers more risks than benefits.

Though it is still uncertain whether the new iPhone releases will have enhanced Touch ID capabilities, facial recognition, or a possible combination, the move aims to enhance security for Apple users.

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