iPhone Rumored to Include Iris Scanning Capabilities Starting in 2018

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on iPhones with iris scanning capabilities that could debut in 2018, reports DigiTimes in a wider piece about increasing interest in advanced biometric functionality in smartphones.

Iris scanning would potentially be used in place of Touch ID as a way to verify a user's identity, performing functions like making payments and unlocking an iOS device. Each person's iris, or the circular colored muscle of the eye, contains a complex and random pattern that is unique to each individual.

An iris recognition machine at the Schiphol Airport​

Apple has been rumored to be looking into iris scanning in the past and it is a technology that is gaining interest in the smartphone arena. Samsung is said to be planning to debut its iris recognition technology as soon as next month with the introduction of the Galaxy Note 7.

Current iris scanning implementations have some notable benefits over Touch ID, including no need for direct contact to unlock a device and faster unlock speeds, but there are also drawbacks such as poor functionality in low lighting and issues with performance following alcohol consumption and eye surgery.

DigiTimes is not always a reliable source of information, so the rumor should be viewed with some skepticism until confirmed, but KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes Apple is planning on introducing new biometric features in a future iPhone, which could include either facial or iris scanning. Kuo's rumor pertained to the 2017 iPhone, but it's always possible such an advanced feature won't be ready to debut until a later date.

There are no rumors about the 2018 iPhone as of yet, but it will follow the 2017 iPhone, which is rumored to feature radical design changes in the form of an edge-to-edge OLED display with no home button and a camera and Touch ID sensor that are integrated into the screen. Wireless charging, a faster A11 processor, and a fully glass body like the iPhone 4 are also possibilities for the device and will likely also be seen in the follow-up 2018 iPhone.

Article Link: iPhone Rumored to Include Iris Scanning Capabilities Starting in 2018

 

[Sirious]

Which iPhone do I wait for now?

 

[cmChimera]

issues with performance following alcohol consumption

Well, I'm out then.

 

[mdelvecchio]

I don't know about this...

 

[hydr0gen]

An excuse to get rid of the home button... Great!

 

[samcraig]

No - please make iris scanning an additional form of security NOT a replacement for fingerprints.

 

[Eric5h5]

Finally, a true eye-phone.

--Eric

 

[gramtrax]

Ah how nice. No %^# way will I ever use it.

 

[Apple Corps]

No - please make iris scanning an additional form of security NOT a replacement for fingerprints.

That all depends on your experience. I am one of those people that can not get the fingerprint ID to work for me. Many multiple recognition efforts and at best I am getting recognized about 15% of the time.

 

[44267547]

Intresting. I wonder how this would work with those with different colored eyes? Iris scanning detects through a steady consistent pattern of reading symmetry.

 

[Pelea]

Completely useless. People already complain Touch ID 2 is too fast. iOS 10 also already can detect people via algorithms so why would we need this?

Edit: sure if both of your hands accidentally fall off maybe then it could be of use.. Though it may be difficult using an iPhone without any hands

 

[5105973]

No - please make iris scanning an additional form of security NOT a replacement for fingerprints.

So far there has been a lot of information leaked about how the iris scanner is supposed to work--and more important not work--on the Note 7 and Apple is wise to wait until 2018.

Right now the Note 7's scanner doesn't play nice with glasses, contacts, puffy eyes, narrowed eyes, poor lighting conditions, bright lighting conditions, and must be a certain distance away from your eyes or it will do something not very nice to your eyeballs. So basically I have a better chance of turning into a werewolf than I have of it working for me.

 

[AppleFan91]

Man, if this is true Apple will be releasing their version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 in 2017. Then the 2018 model will be their Note 7. I love iCloud and iOS but hardware trailing 2 years behind is getting frustrating.

 

[SMIDG3T]

I can see Samsung rushing the implementation of their Iris scanner if they do introduce it this year. Could see some major problems. As always, Apple will take their time and release it when its right.

 

[willybNL]

Schiphzl AirPort?

Where is that?

I do know Schiphol, thats Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

[enriquesh96]

i think the fingerprint scanner is far more convenient and useful than this so called iris scanner. But i wouldn't be mad if they add more bio-metric scanning features in future phones. lol

edit: iris scanning has limitations such as in low light or too bright conditions, distance between your face and the phone, and it doesn't work with glasses/contacts, etc.
so if apple really is planning to add this feature they must fix all these issues.

 

[samcraig]

That all depends on your experience. I am one of those people that can not get the fingerprint ID to work for me. Many multiple recognition efforts and at best I am getting recognized about 15% of the time.

So far there has been a lot of information leaked about how the iris scanner is supposed to work--and more important not work--on the Note 7 and Apple is wise to wait until 2018.

Right now the Note 7's scanner doesn't play nice with glasses, contacts, puffy eyes, narrowed eyes, poor lighting conditions, bright lighting conditions, and must be a certain distance away from your eyes or it will do something not very nice to your eyeballs. So basically I have a better chance of turning into a werewolf than I have of it working for me.

I don't see the tech working well - regardless of who implements it - in low light conditions. Also - they process seems to be more "work" and not intuitive in comparison to a fingerprint sensor when my finger is already on the phone anyway.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

issues with performance following alcohol consumption​

So you can't unlock your iPhone to get an uber after drinking? Perfect.

 

[murdoc2k]

I think these rumours are becoming more and more absurd. Can we say that leaks are now safely contained at Apple and that rumour mills are now churning out ridiculousness in order to keep people commenting so they can get ad revenues?

 

[69Mustang]

So far there has been a lot of information leaked about how the iris scanner is supposed to work--and more important not work--on the Note 7 and Apple is wise to wait until 2018.

Right now the Note 7's scanner doesn't play nice with glasses, contacts, puffy eyes, narrowed eyes, poor lighting conditions, bright lighting conditions, and must be a certain distance away from your eyes or it will do something not very nice to your eyeballs. So basically I have a better chance of turning into a werewolf than I have of it working for me.

Yup. Let Samsung go through the problems of working out the kinks. When the tech is mature and stable, Apple can release their own iteration.

 

[asleep]

Who's Iris...???



Actually, law enforcement has been using iris scanning to detect alcohol restriction violations for years now.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Which iPhone do I wait for now?

This, so much this!
Just so much of awesome stuff is expected on 2017 and now 2018 models.
-

Also, Siri appears to be evolving and has learned iriS recognition.

 

[wkf]

An iris recognition machine at the Schiphzl Airport​

Schiphzl airport?? Near Amsterdzm?

 

[jonnysods]

I bet you it protrudes out the front of the phone like the rear camera

 

[EricTheHalfBee]

Why install something that's slower and won't work under all conditions when compared to a fingerprint scanner? Why even have two different biometric scanners on a single phone? I don't buy this rumor for a second.