Apple Promotes Face ID as Even Easier and More Secure Than Touch ID in Humorous New iPhone Ad

First commercial I've ever seen from Apple where they compete against their own feature ("Even easier and more secure than Touch ID"). More evidence the slowdown in smartphone upgrade cycles is hurting them.
 
Last edited:
I had so many problems with Face ID, more than I did with Touch ID. For unlocking your phone, it makes no sense. You still have to touch (swipe up) your phone to navigate. Face ID really dampens my XS Max experience. Worse than any iPhone I've owned.

I also got a P30 Pro and the in-screen fingerprint scanner is fantastic.

One thing's for sure: If there's no touch ID on the next iPhone, I won't be getting it. I already refused to get the new iPad Pro because of it. Bring it back.
 
First commercial I've ever seen from Apple where they compete against their own feature ("Even easier and more secure than Touch ID"). More evidence that the slowdown in smartphone upgrade cycles is hurting them.

That's also what I don't understand. Although they don't just do impromptu commercials so there must be data supporting that people are still debating between touch vs face. I still hear non-techie people saying they preferred touch so I guess it makes sense.
 
That's also what I don't understand. Although they don't just do impromptu commercials so there must be data supporting that people are still debating between touch vs face. I still hear non-techie people saying they preferred touch so I guess it makes sense.

I don't think it's a matter of the average iPhone user debating Touch vs Face ID. I think it's more about Apple creating a perceived need as a way to encourage phone upgrades
 
No way! I pick up my XR, and before it is up in front of me, it is open, almost every time. With TouchID, if I had just washed my hands, or if they were very dry, like all winter long, it wouldn’t work at all. I never want to use TouchID again.
Don't forget you have to hold the phone in front of you, position your face with the phone every.single.time to unlock it with Face ID.
 
this is the official word from the mothership that TouchID is dead and ain't coming back. Get over it.
This is official word from the mothership that the dreadful NOTCH is here for good. Get over it.
This is official word from the mothership that under screen TouchID will never come to the iPhone.

All hail the Notch! Embrace the abomination of smartphone display design
 
even though they have a patent for under screen fingerprint sensor. Give it time. FaceId is a small transition phase to get us full screen displays but touchid will come back when the technology is ready and they can get rid of the notch for good and have a full screen phone.
The true depth camera isn’t just about unlocking the phone. It’s not going away.
 
this is the official word from the mothership that TouchID is dead and ain't coming back. Get over it.
This is official word from the mothership that the dreadful NOTCH is here for good. Get over it.
This is official word from the mothership the mothership that under screen TouchID will never come to the iPhone.

All hail the Notch! The abomination of smartphone display design

FaceID ≠ Notch
 
Another lame ad campaign to support a flawed technology. Under-glass Touch ID in 2020 Tim Apple. Maybe I’ll consider upgrading from my 8+. Just a maybe though. :apple:
 
No way! I pick up my XR, and before it is up in front of me, it is open, almost every time. With TouchID, if I had just washed my hands, or if they were very dry, like all winter long, it wouldn’t work at all. I never want to use TouchID again.

With FaceID, if I was wearing a hat, of mask from all winter long, it wouldn’t work at all. I never want to use FaceID again
 
Touch ID is far easier and More convenient to use. I won’t be purchasing any iPhone until touchid is back
Sadly, your mileage may vary.
I agree that the TouchID is convenient to use, given that it can be in a pocket or anywhere my finger can touch it.
However, it constantly fails to unlock with my sweaty fingers.
On the other hand, the FaceID has never failed me.
 
Touch ID is far easier and More convenient to use. I won’t be purchasing any iPhone until touchid is back

For you maybe. TouchID never worked 100% with my fingers. 6, 6S, 7 - tried it on all of those and it was about 75% reliable for me. Maybe my prints are too shallow. Maybe my hands are too sweaty or something. I don't know, but with TouchID I ended up typing in my passcode very often.

FaceID on the other hand is 100% reliable.
 
Touch ID is far easier and More convenient to use. I won’t be purchasing any iPhone until touchid is back

I would prefer to have both, as there are scenarios where one is more convenient than the other. But overall I find FaceID to be the most convenient.

FaceID makes it possible to unlock my iPhone and iPad while doing stuff that stains my hands and finger. Doing some baking? No TouchID for you. Doing some cleaning? No TouchID for you. Taking a jog during the winter? Better get off those gloves if you want to unlock your phone etc..

The only time FaceID is not working for me is in situations where I for some reason are not able to fully pick up my phone so I can't really direct FaceID towards my face. And something in direct sunlight it might become hard to use. Other than that I can't say I ever have any issues with it. There are far more situations where TouchID can't be used.

With all that said, I would still prefer to have a in-display TouchID + FaceID. Best of both worlds.


SUREEEEEE just be laying sideways and try to unlock your phone. Faceid is HORRIBLE for lounging around. Especially in bed. I don't know how many times a day I have to put in my passcode because it never picks up my face laying on something or not having the phone perfectly straight. Try unlocking the phone on a table not directly over it also.
Show what really happens apple can you do that?

Try disabling "Require Attention for FaceID" under Settings --> FaceID & Passcode. This will make FaceID not be as strict in-terms of having to detect your eyes for unlocks. Makes it much more usable in awkward scenarios.

Another thing you can do is add your face twice using the "Alternative Face" option just to feed it with even additional data for it to recognise you.


My faceID never works at the distance depicted in the ad, nor would it work at the angle depicted.

Also doesn’t work in bright sunlight, or holding the phone in landscape mode, or in bed with the side your face smooshed in a pillow - never had any of these issues with touchID.

Try disabling "Require Attention for FaceID" under Settings --> FaceID & Passcode. This will make FaceID not be as strict in-terms of having to detect your eyes for unlocks. Makes it much more usable in awkward scenarios.

Another thing you can do is add your face twice using the "Alternative Face" option just to feed it with even additional data for it to recognise you.


Don't forget you have to hold the phone in front of you, position your face with the phone every.single.time to unlock it with Face ID.

How often do you really use your phone with no attention to bring it in front of your face?


With FaceID, if I was wearing a hat, of mask from all winter long, it wouldn’t work at all. I never want to use FaceID again

Hat's have never been a problem for me? Mask's won't work of course, but how often do you use a mask??
 
Interesting...the problem here is that FaceID is notoriously UNRELIABLE when trying to unlock the phone when you're lying down (in bed, for example). I think it's rather strange that Apple chose such a scenario for this ad.
 
I have an iPad mini that uses Touch ID and an iPhone Xs Max with Face ID. Face ID is faster and more convenient, in my opinion.
Thats it, once you've had both face ID is the way to go!
I think its pretty well optimized on the XR..and if you get into the settings you can get it to recognize you in
sunglasses..which is very handy.
 
As someone who occasionally works with his hands I find myself typing in my 6-Digit pin more than using my fingerprint (since the 7 only recognizes my fingerprint about 50% of the time). I'm really looking forward to Face ID on my phone in the future. It's way easier for me.

Agreed. For some of us, TouchID just doesn't work well.

SUREEEEEE just be laying sideways and try to unlock your phone. Faceid is HORRIBLE for lounging around. Especially in bed. I don't know how many times a day I have to put in my passcode because it never picks up my face laying on something or not having the phone perfectly straight. Try unlocking the phone on a table not directly over it also.
Show what really happens apple can you do that?

That might be the most first-world problem I've ever read. Waah my biometric face detection doesn't work when my face is squished in a comfy pillow when I'm lounging around, which I am doing many times a day because my life is full of comforts waahh.
 
Apple should do a Face ID ad in the dark to drive the point home that it works better than touch ID. /s
 
Why is Craig always pronounced "Cregg" in the US? Also why have a silent H in herbs - so it comes out as 'erbs?
 
Agreed. For some of us, TouchID just doesn't work well.



That might be the most first-world problem I've ever read. Waah my biometric face detection doesn't work when my face is squished in a comfy pillow when I'm lounging around, which I am doing many times a day because my life is full of comforts waahh.
Stop being a baby about it. Do you never use your phone at home? Do you never try unlocking your phone while you're eating, with it on a table? Faceid is great when you're out doing things sure but when you put your phone down its just a hassle. Ive had the x for a year and the xs max for almost a year. In terms of reliability I prefer Touch ID because I can unlock it in those situations.
 
Like someone is going to put their iPhone in a vertical position like they show in the ad!
People put their iPhones horizontally, and this is the most significant downside of FaceID.. When I need to unlock my XS MAX when it's on a table, I need to make weird positions so it can recognise me, and many times it fails and I just grab the phone or enter my passcode.
I have an XS MAX and an iPad Pro (2nd gen) which still has the TouchID and I prefer the TouchID anytime any day.
 
Great, thanks Apple. Like we really need more fuel to the “TouchID vs FaceID” fire.

Incoming people complaining about how TouchID is superior to FaceID and how they’ll never buy a new iPhone until TouchID is back, and others claiming that FaceID is 1000x easier/safer and they can use it with gloves on etc. etc.


Huh?? The number of people who won't buy an iPhone until TouchID returns is equal to those who won't buy an iPhone until the 3.5mm headphone jack returns. In other words, it's infinitesimally small compared to the over 200 MILLION people who will buy an iPhone this year.
 
I really want both Touch ID and Face ID with the ability to choose either or both in the control center. There are times I prefer Face ID such as when I am wearing gloves and there are times I prefer Touch ID such as when I am wearing a full face shield helmet or mirrored sunglasses. Let me choose which to use or if I am feeling particularly paranoid, let me turn them both on. What are the odds that anyone other than me could get past Touch ID and Face ID? (roughly 1 in 100 billion)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top