A new Bloomberg today sheds more light on what to expect from this year’s iPhone update. The report says that Apple “is not planning major changes” for the iPhone 2021, but an important update is under test: a fingerprint reader on the screen.
Internally, Bloomberg says that Apple engineers are referring to the iPhone 2021 as an update of the year “S”, which implies minor updates compared to the iPhone 12.
Apple is not planning major changes to this year’s iPhone lineup, given improvements made to the smartphone in 2020, including 5G and new designs, according to people familiar with the situation. At Apple, engineers consider the next iPhones to be another “S” version of the device, the nomenclature normally given to new iPhones with minor updates.
The big change, however, is that Apple is testing support for an on-screen fingerprint reader for this year’s iPhone. Ultimately, it is not clear whether this feature will make the cut for the iPhone 12S, but it is something under test:
While the overall changes are minimal, Apple is still testing a major update for 2021: a fingerprint reader on the screen. This would add a new method for users to unlock the iPhone, going beyond the access code and facial recognition of facial ID. Apple started moving away from fingerprint sensors in 2017 with the launch of the iPhone X, but Touch ID has remained a feature on cheaper Mac laptops and iPhones since then. Qualcomm Inc., which supplies 5G modems to Apple, earlier this month announced a faster on-screen fingerprint sensor.
This is not the first time we’ve heard about the return of Touch ID to the iPhone. Apple’s trusted analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, reported in August 2019 that he will launch an iPhone with Face ID and Touch ID under the screen in 2021. In addition, the trusted L0vetodream leaker also reported that Touch ID on the screen will soon make its way to the iPhone.
Finally, Bloomberg writes that Apple “discussed removing the charging port for some iPhone models in favor of wireless charging”. Again, it is not clear whether this change will reach the iPhone 12S or whether Apple will save it for a future model. It is important to note that Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in 2019 that Apple would launch an iPhone without a Lightning port in 2021.
The report also mentions that AirTags are still in the process of being launched later this year, with Apple originally planning to launch them along with the iPhone 12.
FTC: We use affiliate links for cars that generate revenue. More.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: