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Ming-Chi Kuo Predicts iPhone 8 Will Omit Touch ID Entirely, Come in Limited Color Options
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KGI is well known for their accuracy in their rumors and the name of the website is macRUMORS. Hopefully KGI is mistaken this time. I'm hoping that it is based on what is happening with Qualcomm and not actual Apple insider info.
Sadly, for those asking who this guy is, it was practically a meme on this site that he was always called "reliable" analyst Ming Chi Kuo. And he has been spot on about many unpleasant truths in the past, especially this far along in the year.
This is not welcome news/speculation at all. While I have adjusted quite well to the fps on my Samsung S+ being on the back and even right next to the camera lens, I don't like the idea of there not being a fingerprint scanner at all.
I suppose moving it to the back on the iPhone 8 won't be a deal breaker but removing it altogether would be. Edit to add I read the original article and no, Kuo did NOT say touch ID would be omitted entirely.
This is not welcome news/speculation at all. While I have adjusted quite well to the fps on my Samsung S+ being on the back and even right next to the camera lens, I don't like the idea of there not being a fingerprint scanner at all.
I suppose moving it to the back on the iPhone 8 won't be a deal breaker but removing it altogether would be. Edit to add I read the original article and no, Kuo did NOT say touch ID would be omitted entirely.
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"We predict the OLED model won't support fingerprint recognition, reasons being: (1) the full-screen design doesn't work with existing capacitive fingerprint recognition, and (2) the scan-through ability of the under-display fingerprint solution still has technical challenges, including: (i) requirement for a more complex panel pixel design; (ii) disappointing scan-through of OLED panel despite it being thinner than LCD panel; and (iii) weakened scan-through performance due to overlayered panel module. As the new OLED iPhone won't support under-display fingerprint recognition, we now do not expect production ramp-up will be delayed again (we previously projected the ramp-up would be postponed to late October or later)."
I don't see this being true, as others have pointed out, but he did say it would not support fingerprint recognition.
Performance for one individual doesn't represent the statistical mean. I can safely say that it works the first time for me 99% of the time and is far quicker than typing in my password.
Touch ID on the back of the phone is as terrible if not worse than none at all, since it is entirely useless in the same situation that facial recognition is entirely useless: when the phone is laying on a table/desk/other surface and you want to unlock it.
Any placement other than under the screen or (maybe) the power button will make me seriously rethink buying the new phone. Apple shouldn't even bother going bezel-less if the cost is removing Touch ID entirely. They've literally had years to figure this out.
Say goodbye to unlocking your phone while it's laid flat on a table
I think that we should keep in mind that Ming-Chi Kuo's predictions are, based on his statements, based on capacitive fingerprint scanning. There is no mention of ultrasonic, which Apple has previously stated is the most accurate way - meaning that it was already on their radar as a viable method.
If Apple really does eliminate Touch ID and go to facial recognition, I sure hope they do a much better job than the near worthless facial recognition used by Microsoft's Hello. It pretty much only works in the exact room and lighting where you took the photo. Otherwise it constantly defaults to having to enter the PIN. Do it right or stick to Touch ID, which works.
Edit: Oh, and with MS, that is only after a series of messages saying "Get closer, your too close, forget it, just enter your PIN."
Edit: Oh, and with MS, that is only after a series of messages saying "Get closer, your too close, forget it, just enter your PIN."
Okay, so after this phone comes out and has TouchID, we all stop posting KGI "predictions" right? Right?
What BS. Touch ID is a major cornerstone of iPhone and all the financial institutions and third party apps that support it. No through screen maybe, but no TID at all?
What a load.
What a load.
By the way, what the hell is meant by "boutique image" and why would it entail limiting color choice? Gah, sounds pretentious, but as long as one of the available colors is black, I won't cry in my coffee. All my phones end up in a case anyway.
If this is true, Apple neutered its phone again in back to back years.
He is not some random person
I think he's basically suggesting that ApplePay will you some sort of facial recognition (due to lack of fingerprint sensor).
No Touch ID I will keep using my 7Plus.
Touch ID on the back of the phone I will keep using my 7Plus. I have watched a fellow co-worker Android fan unlocking his new Galaxy S8 and it is a cumbersome endeavor.
Apple may save me money this year if these rumors are true.
Touch ID on the back of the phone I will keep using my 7Plus. I have watched a fellow co-worker Android fan unlocking his new Galaxy S8 and it is a cumbersome endeavor.
Apple may save me money this year if these rumors are true.
If there's no Touch ID on the latest model then 7S it will be for me. 
Even if listening to (by the way pretty reputable) Ming-Chi Kuo, he's not really contradicting that the Touch ID scanner may be on the back side as far as I can tell, perhaps of course then relying on the index finger instead for convenience. Just not part of the display surface.
The only issue I see with that is that this will of course interfer with phone cases. Until their designs adapt with round Touch ID cutouts on the back...
The only issue I see with that is that this will of course interfer with phone cases. Until their designs adapt with round Touch ID cutouts on the back...
Firstly, no Touch ID placed in the front no sale, secondly no Touch ID at all and a stupid 1000 plus price tag and definitely no sale!
Thirdly only 64 and 256GB sizes and again no sale....
I don't need 256GB and use 128GB models.
May look at the 7 Plus 128GB or the 7S if it's in a 128GB size.
Thirdly only 64 and 256GB sizes and again no sale....
I don't need 256GB and use 128GB models.
May look at the 7 Plus 128GB or the 7S if it's in a 128GB size.
I seriously doubt that the agreements that Apple has for Apple Pay with merchants and particularly payment processors will Apple to arbitrarily swap out TouchID with some other form of authentication. Even if they did and Apple switched away from TouchID to something else like facial, it is never going to be as efficient/fast and other services like Samsung Pay would eat them alive. No way Apple is going to risk kneecapping Apple Pay. Apple core revenue model is centered around services - their focus is in the transactions.
No, Mac Rumors had it wrong. KGI is only predicting the touch ID won't be embedded in the display or placed anywhere in front.
