When the iPhone X was announced, many were taken aback by the lack of Touch ID, as it means that the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8+ will be the last models that come with the Touch ID. However, it seems like Apple might be bringing in the Touch ID after all with their new patent applications.
According to Patently Apple, the company applied for patents related to biometrics for both Face ID and Touch ID on a single iPhone, meaning that Apple will be similar to several Android devices that have already supported in-display fingerprint scanning and face unlock.
Apple first introduced the 3D Face ID as they want to offer iOS users better and quicker facial recognition, which is why users rotate their heads as the TrueDepth camera does the facial scanning. But Apple is being more cautious, and believes that bringing Touch ID can serve as a part of the dual biometrics system and a backup should the Face ID fail.
Image credit: Patently AppleA
Of course, the password option is still available, but bringing back the Face ID will also be like an extra precaution step. As seen in the patent figures above, when the Face ID fails to unlock user’s phone, one can choose to either try again or use Touch ID as an alternate method of authentication. On the other hand, if both Face ID and Touch ID fails, there’s always the password option for users to unlock their devices.
While all these are just early stages and might not even be true, it’d be nice if Apple really brings back the Touch ID that many missed. After all, the Touch ID will be in the display of the iPhones if it’s brought back, so it will not affect the screen size of the iPhones.