The type of fingerprint sensor and its location on the upcoming 10th-anniversary iPhone 8 has been the most controversial feature among the analysts and the rumors mill. But over the last few days, things seem to be settling on the matter. Soon after a report from KGI Securities top analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Bloomberg now have come up with their own report claiming that a 3D facial scanning system could replace the Touch ID on the iPhone 8.
In the latest report, the trusted Ming-Chi Kuo of the KGI Securities has predicted that Apple could remove the Touch ID fingerprint sensor from the iPhone 8 altogether in favor of facial recognition system. Now Bloomberg, based on their sources familiar with the product, says that the “improved security system” for facial recognition allows users to log in, authorize payments, and even launch secure apps simply by scanning their face.
This new facial recognition system is power by a new 3-D sensor, added the sources, who asked to keep their names a secret because they discussed a technology that is still in development. One person also said that the company is testing eye scanning to augment the system.
The sensor’s speed and accuracy are focal points of the feature. It can scan a user’s face and unlock the iPhone within a few hundred milliseconds, the person said. It is designed to work even if the device is laying flat on a table, rather than just close up to the face. The feature is still being tested and may not appear on the new device. However, the intent is for it to replace the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, according to the person.
Please note that Apple is not going to be the first company to introduce facial recognition technology into their flagship smartphone. Samsung has already launched its Galaxy S8 smartphone with an iris scanner.Iris scanner scans user’s eyes to unlock the device, although the feature has received mostly negative reviews. Apple’s facial recognition system is expected to be more secure and perform better than Samsung’s solution due to its 3D depth perception.
So far, most of the rumors and reports expect Apple to launch an iPhone 8 with no physical Home button, leading many to believe that the company might embed the fingerprint sensor beneath the display and introduce a touch-sensitive virtual Home button. With this report, we now of two big names supporting facial recognition instead of a fingerprint scanner in iPhone 8 and that are KGi Securities and the Bloomberg.
what are your thoughts on Apple completely removing the Touch ID fingerprint scanner from iPhone 8 and replacing it with an all-new facial recognition system?