Apple is working on introducing Face ID to Mac in the next couple of years, while the bio authentication feature will also be made available on all future iPhone and iPad models down the road.
Currently, new flagship iPhones and iPad Pro models feature Face ID, while other devices like iPhone SE, iPad Air, iPad mini and the regular iPad, all use Touch ID. The biggest change that Touch ID has seen on these devices is the repositioning of the fingerprint sensor from the home button to the power button on iPad Air.
Face ID could be replace Touch ID on all iPhone and iPad models in a few years
In the newest edition of his PowerOn newsletter, Mark Gurman writes that Apple will eventually move all its products from Touch ID to Face ID. The reason for Apple to continue using Touch ID is because it is cheaper, however, Face ID might become cheap enough in a few years for it to justify its place in Apple’s budget iPhone and iPad models.
But I expect that to eventually change. It won’t happen this year, but I’d bet Face ID on the Mac is coming within a couple of years. I expect all iPhones and iPads to transition to Face ID within that timeframe, too. Eventually, a camera embedded in the screen would help differentiate Apple’s pricier devices by eliminating the notch at the top. The facial recognition sensor gives Apple two central features: security and augmented reality. Touch ID, more convenient or not, only provides the former.
Apple also plans to embed Face ID as a sensor under the display, eventually getting rid of the notch on iPhone. Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that 2023 iPhones will feature under-display Face ID, but Gurman has not suggested any timeframe for such a change.
It was also reported that the first Apple Silicon Macs will feature Face ID but it turned out not to be the case. Even the new 24-inch M1 iMac was reported to feature Face ID but it only shipped with an optional Touch ID keyboard. Apple has patents that show that a future MacBook could support Face ID but when it will launch is anyone’s guess.
Mark Gurman also believes that the upcoming September event for iPhone 13 is expected to be virtual again. As Apple’s plan to bring employees back to the office has been postponed due to the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, any chances for the event to take place in person have gone out the window.
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