Based on most reports, Apple could implement under-display Face ID technology in 2024 or 2025 at the latest. This means we can expect under-display Touch ID as soon as 2026. Such a timeframe also falls in line with a recent patent Apple managed to secure (initially spotted by Patently Apple).
No one really understood why the Cupertino company was so quick to forsake fingerprint biometrics on its premium smartphones. Despite the technology working very well on a wide range of Apple products, the high-end iPhones never dabbled with it, for example, through a side-mounted Touch ID scanner built into the side button.
Hence, It is somewhat perplexing to see Apple reverting back to Touch ID after such a decisive step. Nevertheless, there is nothing innately wrong with implementing two types of biometric authentication technology. After all, both Face ID and Touch ID have their unique strengths and weaknesses, and there is no reason to make users choose between one and the other.
There is a fair degree of irony in the fact that Android smartphones have had under-display fingerprint scanners for quite a while now, while Apple is still working on perfecting the technology. This will make for an interesting keynote… in 2026.
