They could enforce passcode/password only for the outer screen, with full FaceID for the inner one.Thickness is likely a factor if Apple wants to use the same FaceID module across multiple product lines. However, decent chance also that having two FaceID cameras is a limited factor also. Phone SoC chips typically have special bus for linking the camera module to the image processor+camera controller inside the SoC. Probably the case there isn't more than 3 connectors there ( and some sharing of a bus for a fourth camera).
For example, the Snapdragon Elite 8 (Samsung Fold 7) in the camera specs ( have to expand the tech spec view)
"...
Image Signal Processor (ISP) Number: Triple ISP
Image Signal Processor (ISP) Bit Depth: 18-bit
Triple Camera (MFNR, ZSL, 30 fps): 48+48+48 MP
..."
Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform is performance transformed.www.qualcomm.com
pretty good chance there is only three camera inputs on that SoC and there is kind of camera 'switch' IC inside the system to flip between on one of those paths. There is no FaceID depth sensor array in that set-up.
FaceID requires more than normal camera bus width. There is more than just visible image data coming back from the expanded sensor array. So decent chance there is only one "FaceID" expanded data bus on a normal Apple Silicon chip.
In that case, Apple designing/making an 'even thinner' FaceID sensor array wouldn't solve the problem anyway. It is also likely too early to throw a feature that won't be used at 100's of millions other Apple devices. ( 'Fold' will share A-series with other Apple products that sell in orders of more magnitude more units. )
A workaround would be to have FaceID only on the outer 'selfie' camera, but that would be quirky when in the open mode and want to do things like authorize Apple Pay. At root is the disconnect is the usage as a 'full phone' when closed and also when open requiring two instances of the authentication mechanism. Going to a TouchID sensor means only have one authentication module for both modes. It is more simple.
The 'thinner' half isn't going to help the TouchID sensor if they make it too small. So it isn't a 'free lunch' going in that direction.
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Foldable iPhone Rumored to Feature Four Cameras, Touch ID, and More
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I had a lot of reliability issues with first gen Touch ID. They all went away with second gen.
That said, people are physiologically different. Some might have issues with second gen too for whatever reason. I've heard some people say they have issues with Face ID too, maybe for some physiological reason, who knows...
Unlikely most people pull the phone out of their pocket, unfolded. It they were going to kluge like that, then a more widely use case would be the other way around. "Pull out of pocket/Purse/etc" look at phone and it is working (including tap-to-pay). Open screen ... already in unlocked state.
However, I doubt that inconsistent modality will pass muster with user experience though. Also not very secure to make folks use their pass code very often in public places. ( Apple security has gotten incrementally better but in normal default set up... once give away passcode then have given away the farm for that device. )
If the unfolded state was the 80+ % use case then wouldn't need such a large screen on the front. Could put a bar across the top front that didn't include the inner screen and would have the same selfie camera all the time. It wouldn't look 100% symmetric when open, but don't have to insert the camera and subsystem into the screen. [ not holding breath because Apple is hyper OCD on symmetry in design. ]
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What about under screen ultrasonic "touchid" for the front display and faceid for the interior one?
I decided my desire for a foldable was too great to wait for a "crease free" model to become available. So I bought a Galaxy Z Fold7.
Once into acceptance, the crease isn't all that annoying. In fact I'm glad I decided to overlook it as overall I'm truly enjoying this phone. Having carried two phones, Android and iOS for years, this experience is eye opening.
Competition improves products and this Android should get Apples attention. I'm eager to see what Apple responds with. The sooner they release their first folding phone the better.
Once into acceptance, the crease isn't all that annoying. In fact I'm glad I decided to overlook it as overall I'm truly enjoying this phone. Having carried two phones, Android and iOS for years, this experience is eye opening.
Competition improves products and this Android should get Apples attention. I'm eager to see what Apple responds with. The sooner they release their first folding phone the better.
An ultrasonic layer beneath screen is likely thicker. The front screen and inner screen share the same 'body' in that 'half' of the phone. In normal phone there is battery and/or circuit board beneath screen. (**) With screens on either side that 'other stuff' space is occupied. In a foldable the thickness available is also likely reduced (since 2x is the system thickness).
Additionally, under screen touchid is hard to do without looking at screen since no tactile feedback as blindly reach for the phone( so a tad slower. Present visual cue to where to put finger, before place finger.). These relatively large 'front' screens on flip/folder are so folks can get quicker access to their notification junkie info stream. The more glance at phone the more 'indispensable' it becomes.
Under screen touchID has worked reasonable well for a while. Apple has purposely avoided it so pretty good chance it gets in the way of their 'thinnest iphone' objectives. Samsung avoids it on their foldables also (whereas have under screen on other phones. Samsung: Fold 1 through 7 (side ) , S25 (under) , S23 edge (under) )
And again asking the users to learn two different modes of operation for same function. That has a steeper learning curve. If not more user confusion support calls. Faster to learn one way.
(**) P.S. Note that these foldables with larger screens don't particularly have more battery capacity than a "Plus"/"Ultra"/"Max" phone of same generation. that extra fold out isn't particularly being used to house more battery to run that increase in screen size. The system makers want folks to users to use smaller screen some substantive amount of time because that is a better match to the battery provisioning.
( if mainly use a book foldable as a tablet almost all the time ... it isn't going to be a 'all day' tablet. )
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