TSMC Sources Claim 'iPhone 8' Will Have Touch ID Integrated into Display

[Geert76]

lol reminds me of the iPhone 4 leak......it's crap till apple says it's the official release, from which time it becomes amazing. The the iPhone 4 was the best design which lead to evolution to the 5. 6 onwards....copy of android devices

As soon as Tim says it's ''just amazing'' or/and ''best iPhone Apple ever made'', then it's time to grab your creditcard(s) or pay in a 24 months plan, cause then the $1000 sounds like its actually just $10

 

[sinsin07]

Please, it sticks out like a sore thumb in quite an un-Apple like way. ...snip

That's utter nonsense.
It's Apple like 'cause Apple is the one designing it and having it produced.
What you may consider an "Apple like way" is subjective.



.

 

[TurboPGT!]

Apple has successfully finalized a solution to integrate Touch ID fingerprint recognition directly into the display of its upcoming "iPhone 8", according to a new report on Friday.

Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) said it spoke to sources from Apple supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), who apparently confirmed Apple's achievement during a technology convention held in Taipei on Thursday.

Among several design changes TSMC reportedly discussed at the TSMC 2017 NA Technology Symposium was the lack of a home button on the redesigned OLED iPhone, owing to Apple's use of "an optical fingerprint sensor to enable authentication directly on the screen" in the absence of a physical Home button.

In addition to the fingerprint recognition, the sources claimed the new iPhones will also come with "invisible infrared image sensors to enhance the functionality of the high-pixel camera" and to enable augmented reality functions.

If true, news of Apple's on-screen fingerprint recognition solution will come as a relief to watchers tracking the development of Apple's "tenth anniversary" edition iPhone. Reports that the company has been researching ways to integrate fingerprint sensors directly into screens go as far back as June 2015, but more recent sources have claimed Apple has struggled to find a solution that overcomes the production challenges involved.

Specifically, Apple was said to be facing low yield issues of its in-house fingerprint sensor solution, which may have been forcing it to consider three possible alternatives: remove Touch ID from the 5.8-inch iPhone entirely and rely on other forms of biometric authentication instead, place the sensor on the back of the device (similar to the one on the Samsung Galaxy S8), or delay production of the phone.

The security of existing face and iris recognition technology has already come into question, while the idea of a rear-mounted Touch ID fingerprint sensor has received a largely negative response from current iPhone users. Suggestions that Apple could announce the OLED iPhone in September alongside typical "S" cycle iPhones but delay its availability have also been met with skepticism.

Additionally, today's news also lines up with previous rumors claiming Apple has been aiming to finalize its fingerprint sensor specification in May all along, in time for mass production in late July, which would fall in line with the company's usual annual iPhone production timeframe.

The other design changes mentioned by sources at TSMC suggest additional biometric authentication such as iris/facial recognition could be used to augment Touch ID via a high pixel-density front-facing camera, which is expected to feature next-generation 3D-sensing capabilities powered by PrimeSense technology. The report also claims the screen ratio of the displays on the new iPhones will be adjusted to 18.5:9 instead of the previous 16:9.

The "iPhone 8" is thought to have a redesigned steel and glass chassis, an edge-to-edge OLED display, and could carry a "premium" price, compared to previous models. Apple is expected to debut the new iPhone in the fall alongside updated versions of its current 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch device lineup.

(Via DigiTimes.)

Article Link: TSMC Sources Claim 'iPhone 8' Will Have Touch ID Integrated into Display

I'm sorry but it is hilarious the way you pretend like this is a linear narrative that's coming full circle.

This was finalized months ago and has been sealed for some time.

 

[Piggie]

How about if the touch ID section was not normal screen?
I looked invisible to the naked eye, and all black screen, but the lower section with the touch ID was not real screen, but like a swipe left/right only separate area like the MP touch bar.
So this lower section was not usable in general, only to display certain things at the bottom?

How would you feel about this?

 

[Skika]

Just like the Touch ID in the new MBP

There is no such technology in the macbook pros.

 

[MH01]

It was always TouchID behind the front glasses or nothing.

Not saying this rumor confirms this, but there was just no way Apple was ever releasing a device that had TouchID anywhere else.

My 6 has held me through. Ready to place my order in Sept for Dec delivery.

Dunno. Look at the iPod shuffle 3rd generation .... made no sense, they did it. With jobs there, I agree with you, without him......hmmm

 

[Glideslope]

This is good news indeed. Most likely an approved leak by TSMC. I for one am looking forward to learning how the new A11 ties in with new features. While we all are obsessed with sensor location, the real story here will be the A11. I have a feeling we are in for quite an eye opener when we see it's capabilities. Let's hope Tim doesn't put an A10X in the 7s instead of the A11.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Sounds like an Apple Galaxy iPhone S8.

That's fine with me. Shaping up to be a great phone.

How could that be when the entire Galaxy line is a knockoff of the iphone to begin with?
[doublepost=1495801401][/doublepost]

WHATTT!!!, no Touch ID on the back? Timmy will never allow this, waayyy too functional.

That doesn't make any sense. And calling a grown man Timmy makes you sound childish.

 

[DNichter]

Happy to hear this. To me, if Apple couldn't get Touch ID implemented in the screen, they would have been better off just waiting until next year.

 

[Geert76]

I'm almost certain Apple are leaking the "on the back" rumours to encourage the continued sales of the current models leading up to the actual announcement.

no worries for Apple there, the loyal Apple fanbase will buy any iPhone from them, no matter what. Sales history shows that.
Heck, even if they make a yellow iPhone, it will sell like hot cakes.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

"Premium price"
We've all been warned, this is going to hurt

Yes, but flagship Apple products including iPhones have never been inexpensive. And, esp. in the TC era Apple has not been timid about raising prices in a way that isn't commensurate with the upgraded features. So I don't think anyone here who is intimately familiar with Apple should be shocked to see a $100-150 price premium over the current iPhone.

With carrier financing I don't think too many will bristle either. It really only immediately affects people like me who buy outright so as to not be beholden to a cellco. It will hurt, but if it is what the rumors say it is I'm biting down hard and handing over my wallet. But the pressure is on Apple because it will have to be worthy of that price, unlike, say, a $700 Apple Watch that has identical functionality as a $200 model.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

I'm not sure why Touch ID on the back is such a negative for people. If it leads to a edge to edge screen I don't see people rejecting such a placement.

I would reject a rear mounted Touch ID. I want to SEE where I need to place my finger, not grope for it. But that's just me

 

[papacuppa]

So a lot of people raise the issue of using a fingerprint scanner when the phone's on the table, but in my case I'm thinking about the arm stand I place my phone in at work. The efficiency and convenience of having it at head level of a daytime is something I wouldn't do without now, but I wouldn't be able to access the back of the phone to unlock it if Apple went the Samsung route.

Admittedly, new stands would come out and my use-case is probably an exception, but my point is, there're multiple reasons why forcing people to use a scanner on the back - where they can't see - is a bad UX.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

So how does one operate an iPhone with no home button? Regardless of how they implement the new design, MILLIONS of people are going to hate it at first because, face it, we're all used to having a home button.

 

[ryanasimov]

Please explain why this has been a technical challenge. The iPhone currently has the Touch ID sensor under a glass button. Is the rumor that the you'll be able to register a fingerprint anywhere on the screen on the new iPhone? That would be a big change. But if the sensor is still in the same location why is removing the button mechanism a big deal?

 

[NT1440]

So how does one operate an iPhone with no home button? Regardless of how they implement the new design, MILLIONS of people are going to hate it at first because, face it, we're all used to having a home button.

Who's to say it's not there with a screen representation? The 7 clearly paved the path for this by removing a physical button and going solid state. There's not really a difference between that and having it on the screen.

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

Whereas most are focusing (understandably) on the embedded TouchID functionality, I was more interested on the following:

"In addition to the fingerprint recognition, the sources claimed the new iPhones will also come with invisible infrared image sensors to enhance the functionality of the high-pixel camera and to enable augmented reality functions."​

This says that AR will be here and now, allowing both virtual and real worlds to come together for the iPhone population (10's of millions), with the view (visible) camera and the tracking (infrared) camera merging those two worlds as one.

That is real innovation.

 

[ellocoescoces]

Um Touch ID is on the front of the phone now...

I think this is called sarcasm, as in Tim would prefer a practical solution rather than a more difficult technological one! I'm not sure how the optical would work unless it's at a very different wavelength (e.g. infra-red)

 

[deany]

Apple's Gold standard, best in class marketing team always play this psychological tennis match prior to the new release of their best selling product - iPhone.

 

[Labeno]

Everyone will love the virtual home button (and touch ID) on the main screen... until it highjacks that apps you're trying to use... just like when they high jacked swipe up/down from the bottom/top edge, and now when I scroll websites, it constantly shows the iOS notifications/quick reference buttons when I don't want them too. I have to be careful to swipe from the middle of the screen. Very annoying. Many apps, mostly games, require swiping from the top/bottom, when makes iOS's highjacking really annoying.

I hope Apple is able to have the home button and touch ID on the screen, but without highjacking any app gestures.

 

[papacuppa]

I'm almost certain Apple are leaking the "on the back" rumours to encourage the continued sales of the current models leading up to the actual announcement.

If I was cynical I'd say that they're putting 'worst-case' scenarios out there to calibrate expectations. If people knew what the final design was at this point, it wouldn't take long for a torrent of criticism, possibly harming sales. But if you get people criticising something inferior to what's ultimately released, people feel their expectations are surpassed > increase in sales.

I dunno, maybe that's baloney...

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Who's to say it's not there with a screen representation? The 7 clearly paved the path for this by removing a physical button and going solid state. There's not really a difference between that and having it on the screen.

No difference between having it ONSCREEN and OFFSCREEN? Sounds like a HUGE difference to me...

Look at how Android users complain about the lack of actual buttons on phones that have virtual navigation buttons. I have used Android phones and tablets with virtual buttons and it's very clumsy compared to having physical buttons. Despite the fact they should work the same, they don't.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I'm almost certain Apple are leaking the "on the back" rumours to encourage the continued sales of the current models leading up to the actual announcement.

Apple doesn't care as long as you are buying a model with an Apple logo. They have said as much when asked about making products that seem would cannibalize its other products. Putting doubt in people's minds about the location of the sensor doesn't get them to buy an iPhone 7 now, it's just convinces them to wait and see. The iPhone 7 will only go down in price from here. No need to rush.

Apple gains nothing by leaking false information about sensor placement. It makes chumps out of the legit journalists that report it, not a way to make friends. And no one seriously believes Digitimes or any of the other Far East tech rags. They make for good clickbait and entertainment but it's not serious journalism.

And most importantly I doubt anyone who understands Apple believes it would take the lazy route of putting the sensor on the back. It would destroy Apple's credibility, esp. after the TB-MBP release. Android makers placed the sensor on the back because it's the least expensive route to take in terms of R&D and production, and they need to pinch pennies wherever possible because of their lower margins and lack of pricing power. Apple users expect more from Apple and right now it has a lot to prove it can still deliver the goods. This next iPhone is hugely important to Apple.

 

[Aleh]

Oh yeah.
And yet people always say Apple doesn't innovate anymore. This is real innovation, not changing the design for the sake of it, but making actual important changes when it's the time, and to enhance the user experience.

 

[grennis]

This says that AR will be here and now, allowing both virtual and real worlds to come together for the iPhone population (10's of millions), with the view (visible) camera and the tracking (infrared) camera merging those two worlds as one.

That is real innovation.

Microsoft and Google have been doing this for years.