2020 iPhone Rumored to Have Under-Display Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner Supplied by Qualcomm

[MacRumors]

Apple has arranged for a representative to meet with Taiwanese touchscreen-related manufacturer GIS next week to discuss development of an iPhone with an under-display fingerprint scanner for release as early as next year, according to a pair of reports from the Economic Daily News.

The reports claim that Apple plans to use Qualcomm's ultrasonic fingerprint sensor technology in at least one iPhone model set to be released in 2020, although the timeframe could be pushed back to 2021. GIS would cooperate with Qualcomm to supply necessary components.

This lines up with recent reports from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Barclays analysts, Bloomberg, and others who expect Apple to release an iPhone with both Face ID and under-display fingerprint authentication in 2020 or 2021.

There are currently two types of under-display fingerprint sensors, including optical and ultrasonic. Optical variants rely on light from a smartphone's display to create a 2D image of a fingerprint, while ultrasonic variants make use of high-frequency sound to generate a 3D image of a fingerprint.

Qualcomm already supplies ultrasonic fingerprint sensors for Samsung's Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note10 smartphones, but iPhones could use an even more advanced version of the technology by time 2020 or 2021 rolls around.

In a closed-door briefing on the sidelines of the 2019 Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona, Qualcomm director Gordon Thomas reportedly disclosed that the company plans to create even larger under-display fingerprint sensors than the one used in Samsung's latest smartphones, with an eventual goal of developing a sensor that works across virtually the entire display.

Coincidentally or not, the rumors about iPhones with under-display fingerprint scanning have suggested it will be a full-screen solution.

All in all, this serves as more evidence that Apple plans to release at least one new iPhone model with both Face ID and a form of full-screen Touch ID within the next year or two. Given the ultrasonic technology only works with OLED displays, the sensor will likely be limited to higher-end iPhones.

Update: As noted by PCMag, Qualcomm today at its Snapdragon Tech Summit in Hawaii unveiled a 30x20mm in-display fingerprint sensor for smartphones, said to be 17x larger than the one in the Galaxy S10. (Thanks, Stefan Constantine!)

Article Link: 2020 iPhone Rumored to Have Under-Display Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner Supplied by Qualcomm

 

[ruslan120]

Glad to hear the technology is matured.

 

[i-Liam]

I definitely prefer touch ID over Face ID.

 

[fmcshan]

It would be neat if Apple allowed us to unlock our devices using both Face ID and Touch ID... I'll take this with a smooth *cough* iOS 14 and it'll be perfect! ?

 

[mclaugaa]

I prefer Face ID. Maybe I’m dull, but I don’t see the advantage to going back for fingerprints?

 

[bbplayer5]

I prefer Face ID. Maybe I’m dull, but I don’t see the advantage to going back for fingerprints?

It should have both.

 

[kalafalas]

I really hope this is not in replacement of Face ID. I have an S10 for work and I didn’t realize how much better Face ID really is until I had to use fingerprint again. My phone is just open for me - no action required. No trying again. Just works. Please keep Face ID Apple.

Also as a side note it’s hard to hit the scanner on the screen in the “right spot”, even with the icon on the screen as you can’t feel it like you could home button Touch ID.

 

[Freida]

Would prefer an iPhone with TouchID. Hate FaceID

 

[CC77]

Good. FaceID is one of the biggest steps backwards in terms of UX that's Apple's ever made.

 

[dojoman]

Unless Apple improves ultrasonic fingerprint reader it's far inferior to Face ID. It keeps asking to press harder on Galaxy S10 device.

 

[justperry]

Shoot...I was expecting a DNA scanner.

 

[itsmilo]

Didn’t miss the touchID since the day I received my iPhone XS Max. It hasn’t failed on me once while touchID didn’t work a lot of times. Sweaty fingers and all that

 

[cocky jeremy]

I prefer Face ID. Maybe I’m dull, but I don’t see the advantage to going back for fingerprints?

So we have a less secure method for keeping our phones locked. Kind of stupid, really.

 

[Baymowe335]

If Apple is using it, the technology will be implemented well and work far better than the garbage released thus far.

I prefer FaceID.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

If true, this will be the most important feature of the new iPhones.

Touch-ID > Face-ID

 

[Unity451]

We should just get ahead of the curve and jump right into DNA. SalivaID is where it's at!

 

[fokmik]

Until you find and press the touchid , your iphone is already unlocked thanks to faceid

 

[XXPP]

Face ID is much better, but if they want use Touch ID in less advance models - go.

 

[mi7chy]

It should have both.

Some people aren't used to having options but this is the way except Apple needs to fix the false positive insecurities of Face ID.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Will believe it when I see it.

I think Apple is 100% in on face unlock and not sure they'd go through the expense of two ID systems.

 

[MisterSavage]

Didn’t miss the touchID since the day I received my iPhone XS Max. It hasn’t failed on me once while touchID didn’t work a lot of times. Sweaty fingers and all that

Plus dry winter fingers caused me failures also. I have never missed Touch ID for one second.

 

[mi7chy]

Until you find and press the touchid are, your iphone is already unlocked thanks to faceid

You don't need to find anything since you can go by feel and fingerprint is faster to unlock coming out of pocket. Also, it doesn't require taking eyes off or turning your head away from whatever you're doing/looking at to unlock.

 

[az431]

It should have both.

I agree. Lots of people don’t have a face, but have at least one finger
[automerge]1575400754[/automerge]

You don't need to find anything since you can go by feel and fingerprint is faster to unlock coming out of pocket. Also, it doesn't require taking eyes off or turning your head away from whatever you're doing/looking at to unlock.

It’s clear from your post that you haven’t actually used FaceID.

 

[Braderunner]

Face ID was the main reason that I got the X. Haven't missed Touch ID for one second.
Not noticing any improvement in Face ID since getting the 11. But, I think that's because it worked so well when it was introduced. Not much room for improvement.

 

[pika2000]

My guess is this is for the iPhone SE 2? Note the rumors are saying that it sill uses Touch ID. But Apple might want to put edge to edge screen to make all the iPhone lineup look similar.

Not going to complain. Even optical under-screen-fingerprint scanners are alright.

But if Apple can keep perfecting FaceID, imo that would be a better route going forward.