Kuo: all new Touch ID tech for OLED iPhone, Apple exploring facial recognition security

Knowledgeable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo served interesting specifics about some of the technology that could go into this year's or future iPhones. According to his research report, Apple is reworking its Touch ID technology to support a "zero bezel" design. As a result, the OLED iPhone's fingerprint sensor won't be placed under the glass, as previously reported, but it's going to live under the display panel. The technology is said to be in early development stages. It also requires specific OLED panel customizations to which Apple's display suppliers have to oblige.

Mentioning an iPhone with a flexible OLED panel again, he claims Apple is placing a metal structure under the touch sensor to prevent the panel from deforming after prolonged use of the 3D Touch feature. Who would have thought that glass isn't enough protection?

Looking even deeper into the proverbial crystal ball, Kuo says that Apple will replace fingerprint scanning with a facial recognition system, initially implementing a combination of the two before overcoming certain technological challenges. The analyst believes this system will trigger a "paradigm shift" in smartphone biometric security, something which iris scanning hasn't achieved so far.

While Ming-Chi Kuo has had a strong track record with his "predictions" over the years, not all of them have went on to become reality. It's best to keep an open mind and wait for more details in the months leading to Apple's next iPhone reveal.

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