Return of Beloved iPhone Feature Off the Table Until iPhone 17
Touch ID will not return to the iPhone via an under-display implementation until the iPhone 17 at the earliest, a key report suggests.
In a September 2021 research note, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple would launch at least one new iPhone model with an under-screen fingerprint scanner in the second half of 2023. According to Kuo's latest report on the matter, no new iPhone models released in 2023 or 2024 will adopt under-display Touch ID, meaning that 2025's "iPhone 17" lineup is the next set of devices that could see the return of the beloved authentication feature.
Apple apparently tested an under-screen fingerprint scanner for at least some iPhone 13 models, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, but the company seemingly decided not to move forward with the idea.
Under-screen Touch ID would have been most useful when Face ID did not work with masks, but iOS 15.4 introduced a new "Face ID with a Mask" feature on iPhone 12 models and newer to address this problem. There is still a strong argument to suggest that having both Face ID and Touch ID on an iPhone would provide users with more robust security and faster authentication.
There remains a possibility that Apple introduces an iPhone with Touch ID built into the Power Button, in line with the latest iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Air models. 2025's iPhone 17 Pro models are also rumored to introduce under-display Face ID technology, so under-display Touch ID could follow soon after.
Popular Stories
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
