Apple has long been rumored to be working on different forms of biometric authentication beyond Face ID, but according to a new update from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, under-screen Touch ID is no longer on the company’s near-term roadmap. Despite years of speculation and reports of Apple testing prototypes, the technology does not appear to be making its way into iPhones anytime soon.
Kuo shared that while Apple has explored the possibility of integrating fingerprint sensors beneath the display, the results have not been up to standard. In-display systems can suffer from slower recognition speeds, reduced accuracy, and inconsistent performance depending on screen quality and external lighting. These shortcomings are particularly significant for Apple, which typically waits for new technologies to reach a high level of maturity before shipping them in consumer devices.
Face ID has also continued to evolve, which further reduces the need for a second biometric system. Since its introduction on the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has improved Face ID’s speed, expanded its field of view, and enhanced performance in low-light environments. More recently, it has also been optimized to work with masks and sunglasses, ensuring reliable security in situations where earlier versions struggled. These improvements make it less likely that Apple will invest in a complex under-screen Touch ID solution when Face ID already covers most use cases.
On the subject of foldables, Kuo also mentioned that Apple is still believed to be working on a foldable iPhone, although details remain vague. Rumors around the project date back several years, with patents showing concepts for hinge designs, flexible OLED displays, and even foldable iPads. Kuo noted that development is ongoing, but any potential product is still considered to be years away. Some reports have placed a possible launch window between 2026 and 2027, but this remains speculative, as Apple has never confirmed such plans.
Apple’s rumored approach reflects its broader strategy of waiting until technology is perfected before introducing it to the mass market. Unlike Samsung, Huawei, and other manufacturers that have already released foldable smartphones, Apple is thought to be taking more time to address durability issues like screen creasing, hinge longevity, and long-term reliability. The same cautious stance applies to under-screen Touch ID, where Apple’s bar for speed and accuracy has not yet been met.
The update serves as a reminder that Apple’s roadmap is not always aligned with industry trends. While many Android devices now ship with under-display fingerprint sensors and foldable form factors, Apple appears content to focus on refining the user experience with features it already leads in, such as Face ID, high-quality displays, and deep integration with its ecosystem.
For now, under-screen Touch ID is unlikely to appear in the next iPhone generations, and the foldable iPhone remains an ongoing but distant rumor. Instead, attention is on Apple’s confirmed September 2025 event, where the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 are expected to debut. Those announcements will continue Apple’s pattern of steady hardware refinements while bigger experimental projects remain behind the scenes.
