IPhone 13 models will “probably” have a touch ID under the display

The iPhone 13 models, which will be launched later this year, will “probably” have a fingerprint scanner built into the display for authentication, in addition to Face ID, according to Barclays analyst Andrew Gardiner and three of his colleagues.

In a research note shared today with MacRumors, analysts added that iPhone 13 models will have a smaller notch and that LiDAR Scanner will remain limited to iPhone 13 Pro models this year, which aligns with information shared by well-known Apple analyst Ming -Chi Kuo earlier this month. Barclays said its research is based at least in part on “extensive industry talks” with suppliers in recent weeks.

Analysts believe a smaller notch on iPhone 13 models will be the result of a “better integrated version of the current structured light system” for Face ID, adding that a “bigger change” is likely to come in 2022, apparently with Apple in mind. to adopt the time-of-flight architecture for Face ID that allows for an “even smaller footprint”. This is in line with Kuo’s predictions that at least about 2022 iPhones could have a perforated display, with only a small hole visible on the screen, like many of Samsung’s recent smartphones.

Here is the excerpt from the research note, with added emphasis:

For the next iPhone 13 cycle in 2H21, we anticipate a better integrated version of the existing structured light system, which will allow the long-awaited notch reduction. On the back, we do not anticipate that Apple will extend the adoption of the 3D Lidar sensor beyond the Pro models.

For the 2H22 product cycle, we anticipate an architectural shift from structured light to flight time, allowing for an even smaller footprint. Based on our industry conversations, we don’t think structured light under the screen is likely to be ready for mass deployment in 2H22. We are also seeing the adoption of fingerprints under glass, which is likely to be added to 2H21 iPhones., as a structural headwind for additional 3D detection content at Apple and could be the security feature of the future.

The return of Touch ID with an under-screen fingerprint scanner has been rumored several times. In August 2019, Kuo said that Apple intends to launch an iPhone equipped with both Face ID and a fingerprint scanner under the display in 2021, but in his research note earlier this month, he does not mention this feature that comes to iPhone 13 models.

BloombergMark Gurman and The Wall Street JournalJoanna Stern also claimed that Apple is testing at least one fingerprint scanner under the display for iPhone 13 models, so time will tell if the feature makes the cut.

Barclays analysts were the first to say that Apple intends to no longer include an iPhone charger. In the past, they have also revealed the True Tone that comes on the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, the removal of the headphone jack adapter with the iPhone XS and iPhone XR models and the removal of 3D Touch on all iPhone 11 models.