Apple Reportedly Reduced Face ID Accuracy to Speed Up iPhone X Production

[Kabeyun]

This article does not, at all, explain its own headline. It does go into new detail about the problem of low yields. It does not explain anything about Apple’s alleged reduced accuracy demands of FaceID nor how that would/could boost yields. Neither does the Bloomberg piece. It may be true. It may not. But the article doesn’t explain its own title. Basic premise of journalism, unless your goal is to fan flames or get clicks.

Also, the Bloomberg article concludes with the statement, “Signs of weakness in iPhone 8 sales means Apple could sell fewer handsets than last year—despite all the fanfare surrounding the iPhone X.” The reason iPhone 8 sales are relatively weak is because customers are waiting for the X, according to analysts. More bad journalism.

 

[5105973]

Good grief this thing sounds delicate. Wait for the show when the YouTubers starts poking and picking at it and, finally, dropping it. All glass with all of these delicate little sensors and projectors.

 

[I’mpaced]

I don’t plan on using the Face ID so this isn’t a concern to me

 

[YaBe]

That sums up Apple lately, up with quantity, down with quality!

Steve would be like, better fewer but better working, people will wait.

 

[VulchR]

Dear Apple,

Get it right. Then sell it. The yearly upgrade cycle is killing quality.

 

[44267547]

Dear Apple,

Get it right. Then sell it. The yearly upgrade cycle is killing quality.

But there is no evidence supporting this article is accurate and how this would directly contribute to "Killing quality."

 

[Naaaaak]

Making it on time over Making it right. The new Apple way. Just look at iOS 11.

And macOS 10.13, which might be the buggiest release of all time.

 

[MistrSynistr]

I question this article and it would not be an accurate reflection of Apples ethic Concerning their products and level of detail. Especially given how Face ID is vastly important to Apple and it's future.

This is the same company that couldn't figure out touch ID under the screen but just went ahead with it anyway.
[doublepost=1508927749][/doublepost]

But there is no evidence supporting this article is accurate and how this would directly contribute to "Killing quality."

Just like every article about the design and notch of the iPhone X has no basis right.

 

[cvj23]

on the keynote they said 1.000.000:1, if now it is lower someone should resign

 

[Jsameds]

Just like every article about the design and notch of the iPhone X has no basis right.

The difference being we know the notch is a thing that actually exists, compared to this story of which we have zero evidence to corroborate.

 

[44267547]

This is the same company that couldn't figure out touch ID under the screen but just went ahead with it

False. Craig Federighi stated himself that touch ID embedded under the display was always Plan B and Apple never struggled to put it under the display. He did admit they were experimenting with it. Once Face ID was working, they abandoned touch ID under the display altogether. The idea that Face ID with some rush job is complete nonsense.

https://daringfireball.net/2017/09/iphone_x_event_thoughts_and_observations

 

[SwissGuy93]

Right, and in tomorrow’s news, Apple will replace the notch with a fingerprint sensor to speed up production.

You forgot the report from later today that the Face ID are on track and that the OLED screen is being replaced by a LCD screen.

 

[SwissGuy93]

When security goes from 1:1.000.000 to 1:500.000 I am willing to offer my accordance to Tim
(but I await Ming-Chuo, if he didn't get choked in noodles on this news)

Do you really think that Apple would announce something and than not hold the promise? IF there are it is less acurate, which is not proven yet, as it is only a report, Apple would have made the decision before the presentation. They can not put up a flashy keynote slide that says 1:1'000'000 and not deliver that. That would be a liability which users could sue over.

 

[Kabeyun]

Wrong. Craig Federighi stated himself that touch ID embedded under the display was always Plan B and Apple never struggled to put it under the display. He did admit they were experimenting with it. Once Face ID was working, they abandoned touch ID under the display altogether. The idea that Face ID with some rush job is complete nonsense.

https://daringfireball.net/2017/09/iphone_x_event_thoughts_and_observations

You’re absolutely right about TouchID, but the Bloomberg piece does mention that Apple put their suppliers under a lot of time pressure to shrink the concept of Microsoft’s Kinex tech into a module measured in millimeters and then produce it in mass quantity.

 

[BornAgainMac]

The only thing that sounds true is that Apple will not have enough to meet demand. Looks like it makes sense to wait until the next iPhone 9. I look forward to seeing the iPhone X in the wild next year in the meantime.

 

[mmm1345]

Actually I'm not that surprised. The QC requirements in mass production are something that is constantly tweaked and that even MIGHT not have a direct impact on the final user.

Yes, but this is a MAJOR feature and if it doesn't work, then people are going to because it's purposefully gimped people will be livid.

 

[friednoodles]

LOL... these people.

Clearly this is about manufacturing tolerances and nothing to do with the final accuracy of facial recognition.

Remember the “supply chain sources” that suggested the iPhone 8 was supposed to be USB-C instead of Lightning? That was all because someone misunderstood what was meant by it supporting USB-C fast charging.

This is another case of someone misunderstanding the nuances of manufacturing terminology and conflating it with something else.

 

[44267547]

Just like every article about the design and notch of the iPhone X has no basis right.

But the notch itself is actually factual. There is no evidence supporting that this article is entirely accurate. It just so happens that is article is conveniently surfacing one day before the Apple pre-orders for the iPhone X.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

I question this article and it would not be an accurate reflection of Apples ethic Concerning their products and level of detail. Especially given how Face ID is vastly important to Apple and it's future.

How about they simply backed the wrong horse.

 

[VulchR]

But there is no evidence supporting this article is accurate and how this would directly contribute to "Killing quality."

Agreed, but the general feeling I have for many years is that the rush to push out new iPhone models like clockwork every year means that Apple is conservative in its design changes, and the quality of other products suffers (e..g. Mac). Innovation comes and goes in fits, not on a schedule. Even if the iPhone X worked flawlessly, there are still aspects about it that aren't great design IMO, such as the notch and the protruding rear camera. I am upgrading (from a 4S), and I am concerned that the iPhone X will be plagued by teething problems. And we still do not have an answer as to how the iPhone will handle glasses etc.

 

[SwissGuy93]

Sounds like compromising the quality of a $1000 product to me... Insane how Apple choose to do this in a rush to meet demand instead of rolling out quality units at a slower pace.

Here is the deal; it's probably not true and if it should be it would be blown out of proportion. Maybe its now 25500 dots instead of 30000 dots. How knows? Nobody knows except Apple and the Suppliers. Bloomberg just made another clickbait article.

 

[Cryates]

What a clickbait title. Even the Bloomberg article says there is no definitive word on loss of accuracy, and the Bloomberg article never really even questions it in length at all.

Come on, this is BGR level clickbait stuff.

 

[SwissGuy93]

Agreed, but the general feeling I have for many years is that the rush to push out new iPhone models like clockwork every year means that Apple is conservative in its design changes, and the quality of other products suffers (e..g. Mac). Innovation comes and goes in fits, not on a schedule. Even if the iPhone X worked flawlessly, there are still aspects about it that aren't great design IMO, such as the notch and the protruding rear camera. I am upgrading (from a 4S), and I am concerned that the iPhone X will be plagued by teething problems. And we still do not have an answer as to how the iPhone will handle glasses etc.

We have the answer how it will handle it: Glasses are no problem and most Sunglasses that do not block infrared light are also ok.
Teething problem happen with every iphone ever. There has been no iPhone that has been perfect. So, yes there might be issues but there were also problems with the 8 Plus, the 7, the 6 etc.
[doublepost=1508928562][/doublepost]

That sums up Apple lately, up with quantity, down with quality!

Steve would be like, better fewer but better working, people will wait.

Steve would this, Steve would that.

We don't know if that article is true. Bloomberg has a veeery questionable track record with things like that. And if you read the article, then you can read that they are not even sure if it compromises the security.

 

[maflynn]

Wow, if true, that's a bummer.
First if the sensor is so fragile, will it go out of spec during normal wear and tear of the phone?

Secondly, Apple seems to keep making questionable choices, like adding FaceID when no one asked for it, there was no need and its inferior to TouchID. It may be superior in time, but it seems the technology is not ready for primetime yet.

 

[44267547]

I am concerned that the iPhone X will be plagued by teething problems.

Just like any new realm of technology, it's a maturity process that refines overtime. I don't think the iPhone X will be perfect and I'm sure Face ID will be fairly well recepted. But I can understand why you would have doubts, given that you don't have first-hand experience with it and it's new technology in a sense of what Apple is introducing. But I think in fairness, we need to allow this technology and new iPhone to debut first, and then make a judgment call.