iPhone 8 to include a rear-facing Touch ID sensor

by Ben Reid / Apr 19, 2017, 11:07 AM

A mock-up of what the iPhone 8 may end up looking like

According to some new information, Apple could pipe the Touch ID component of its next-gen iPhone onto the rear of the device. A move that would see Cupertino follow both Google and Samsung with their most recent flagship handsets, the switch would mark a departure from the long-standing, below-screen arrangement.

One of the reasons why Samsung switched the fingerprint authentication hardware from the front of the device was to facilitate the new Infinity Display. It's believed the Korean company wanted to have the feature baked into the display of the Galaxy S8 series, but couldn't quite get the requisite tech ready in time. As such, the S8 and S8+ sport fingerprint scanners alongside the main cameras.

Apple has faced difficulties in trying to integrate its Touch ID fingerprint reading system into the iPhone 8's OLED display

Meanwhile, Apple has apparently been trying to pull the same stunt of splicing Touch ID and the new OLED display of the iPhone 8. As with Sammy, though, things haven't gone as smoothly as predicted, prompting one analyst to suggest that the special edition handset to mark the iPhone's 10th year may even be delayed. As our married readers will attest, you can't really push an anniversary back and instead, the fruit company may simply relocate Touch ID to the back of the iPhone 8's body.

As a refresher, Apple is expected to roll out a landmark iPhone 8 this year alongside the to-be-expected iPhone 7s and 7s Plus. The iPhone 8 will supposedly get that aforementioned OLED display -- curved edge, no less -- and if it is ready by Apple's traditional September announcement period, it'll surely offer a few more perks over the 7s series. Indeed, the new schematics leak by resident Apple informant Sonny Dickson offers one or two clues as to what else may be in store.

Purported iPhone 8 schematic drawing shows where the Touch ID sensor may reside

As you'll notice in the image above, the rear-facing camera duo is arranged vertically as opposed the horizontal configuration of the iPhone 7 Plus, while the repositioned Touch ID sits below the Apple logo. The schematics also offer an idea as to the measurements of the iPhone 8. If they're correct, the handset will be around half a centimeter wider and a centimeter longer than the existing iPhone 7. Rumor has it that the iPhone 8 will boast a 5.8-inch screen, though, so for that slight increase in overall footprint, users will potentially gain more than an inch of display real estate over the current 4.7-inch handset. Not bad.

For now, this is only a drawing, and may just be a contingency plan should the embedded Touch ID gig not work out. Given Apple's affinity to seamlessness -- and the potential bonus of rolling out a feature Samsung couldn't prepare in time -- it's very likely that the firm will take the embedded route if at all possible. Given the reports of low yields, though, Apple could play it safe and move Touch ID from front to back.

What do you think -- would you welcome this change for a potentially more favorable screen-to-body ratio? Let us know down below.

source: Sonny Dickson via TechCrunch

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27 Comments

1. dnomadic

Posts: 424; Member since: Feb 20, 2015

Always the sceptic... Looking at the measurements something doesn't seem accurate. If it is a 5.8 inch screen, without top bezel (like S8) shouldnt it be shorter than the S8? And if this is supposedly the "plus" model it would be wider... Something isn't adding up fo me... Of course I'm not really crunching numbers right now just browsing around and saw that this looks off.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 11:18 AM 2

2. UglyFrank

Posts: 2194; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

According to rumours, this device will have the earpiece/sensor section as part of the screen instead of as a bezel

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 11:24 AM 0

4. bobby84

Posts: 595; Member since: May 13, 2016

No what he is says is that the iphone is .50mm taller than the s8 and the s8 has a top and bottom bezel. If the screen will be 5.7 or 5.8 inches, this would imply it has bigger bezels. Unless the small screen comes form the bezel on the sizes.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 11:33 AM 2

5. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

If you look at the old renderings of this prototype, it looked like the G6. This has been said to be the design that Apple didn't pic. This was the backup plan!

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 11:41 AM 1

7. Bankz

Posts: 2550; Member since: Apr 08, 2016

Theres no way the iphone will put their fps on the back tbh.. Are they trying to tell us that they couldnt get it right since late last year? Even If they dont put it, then it will be on purpose but not for lack of readiness. Btw, theres nothing new to see here as this is still a probability.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 12:19 PM 1

10. Cyberchum

Posts: 1095; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

“Even If they dont put it, then it will be on purpose but not for lack of readiness.” So you are saying they would never hit a wall there, just like Samsung did, because it's APPLE. Must be fun being a fanboy.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 1:02 PM 9

16. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Don't mind him, he's technologically stupid and ignorant. He has no idea how hard it is to develop tech that is big and make it small and have it work the same on such a small device. Just remember some of these facts. IBM once had drives that took up a whole wrong and weight more than several men. How long do you think it took for any company to take that tech, and make it fit into a book sized device. Computers once took up whole room. Now we have one sthat ate 1000's of times more powerful on your desk and in yoru pockets. How long did it take for tech to progress ot this point? Bankz is a stupid moron. Hey Bankz, if you have the answer an can make it work right now, get hired by Apple and get rich. Since you "think" you are so smart...DUMBASS!

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 2:02 PM 1

18. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

whole room*

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 2:53 PM 0

15. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

First off you have no idea how hard it is to make the tech work. How can you question how long somethign takes? Many compoennets takes "years" to get them to work correctly. You know why Force Touch isn't on Android phones? It's because there is a driver issue with the concept. Apple srtuggled with it too, which is why its ha;lf-baked. Facts that you can Google, showed that Apple had its with its own version of Force Touch and asked/paid Synaptics to fix the issues with the driver. They couldn't and is why Apple really hasn't broaden out the capabilities of the concept. It is also why Synaptics hasn't provided it to OEM's. You don't get to dictate how fast or slow a tech becomes available. How about this, we don;'t want it unless it works and is useful.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 1:58 PM 1

22. TheOracle1

Posts: 2340; Member since: May 04, 2015

"You know why Force Touch isn't on Android phones? It's because there is a driver issue with the concept." Huawei seem to have sorted it out.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 3:02 PM 0

14. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

You would think. But then again, the iPhone 7+ has a 5.5" display and the Galaxy S7 edge, the Galaxy Note 5, and Galaxy S6 edge+ all have a 5.7" display and yet the iPhone 7 Plus is taller than all of them, even with a smaller display. OS yes logically you would right. But this is after all, Apple we are talkign about. Their design engineers are lazy and stupid. After all, how did they make the iPhone 6 Plus and not shore up the design to prevent bending?!

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 1:53 PM 1

3. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

That is not Touch ID on the back. That looks very much like a wireless charging port. That thing is dead center of the phone! It doesn't make sense as a FPS. How do you reach it with one hand? How do you put the haptic engine under it being near the battery? It just doesn't add up!

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 11:27 AM 2

19. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

You don't need a port for wireless charging...lol. Wireless charging is a magnetic coil that is inside the phone. Not a port. That circle looks exactly like the present iPhone 7 FPS. You must be blind.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 2:56 PM 6

6. jeroome86

Posts: 2314; Member since: Apr 12, 2012

Even if they embedded Touch ID in screen, could you even use a temper screen protector? On the rear works for me. Just put it in center.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 11:45 AM 0

8. Talhamid

Posts: 61; Member since: Jun 13, 2009

LOL. Actually, with the S8 getting glowing reviews everywhere (except PA which reserves the highest marks for only Apple products), something has to be done by PA to bring attention back to the (months away) iPhone and pretend that due to the EXPECTED/SPECULATED features of iPhone 8, iPhone 7 plus somehow becomes better.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 12:26 PM 3

9. darkkjedii

Posts: 31313; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

That mockup is not impressive, please don't do that Apple. Although I'm more interested in iOS 11, than the iPhone 8, I still want it to be beautiful.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 12:56 PM 1

20. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Get your S8's yet? Got mine today! Excited!

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 2:57 PM 0

11. monoke

Posts: 1172; Member since: Mar 14, 2015

Seems screen embedded fps is proving problematic to implement. I'm betting some Chinese brand will implement first, probably mi mix 2, since they're willing to take chances with that phone, at least in terms of design.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 1:08 PM 1

12. bucky

Posts: 3791; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

i dont want practicality being removed for the sake of design. This new fingerprint sensor on the back trend is silly.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 1:12 PM 0

21. TheOracle1

Posts: 2340; Member since: May 04, 2015

Have ever owned a phone with the fingerprint sensor on the back?

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 3:00 PM 0

13. Arch_Fiend

Posts: 3951; Member since: Oct 03, 2015

No way the new iPhone will have touch ID on the back, just no!

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 1:30 PM 1

17. HomerS

Posts: 419; Member since: Sep 19, 2014

We already know the dimensions, which we saw in earlier schematics of the iphone 8. So Apple is cooking with water aswell and can't do magic with camera beneath the display and such BS. https://9to5mac.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/iphone-8-thinness.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=655&strip=all&w=1600&h=1000

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 2:17 PM 3

23. omnitech

Posts: 1131; Member since: Sep 28, 2016

September 2018 is plenty of time for them to include it in the front. lol iphone 8 is not coming out in 2017. That said, if by chance it does come out this year, I rather like it on the back because I can pick it up with one hand and use it in the same hand. With front facing I tend to pick it up with my right hand, unlock it, and then place it in my right hand before using the phone.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 5:49 PM 0

25. omnitech

Posts: 1131; Member since: Sep 28, 2016

Sorry in the last paragraph it should read pick it up with my right hand and unlock it but rather than just shift the phone to a better grip with one hand I just put it on my left hand after unlocking it. So back is generally better because you never have to change grips or change hands to use it after unlocking it.

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 10:52 PM 0

24. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

"APPLE HAS FACED DIFFICULTIES IN TRYING TO INTEGRATE ITS TOUCH ID FINGERPRINT READING SYSTEM INTO THE IPHONE 8'S OLED DISPLAY" they didnt face any of this difficulties... other manufacturers is the one that trying to integrate it, and apple simply buying the component from them

posted on Apr 19, 2017, 8:41 PM 1

26. youssef44

Posts: 547; Member since: Apr 29, 2014

I hate this idea!! the device will look ugly if fingerprint sensor will be on the back!! Why they don't make the fingerprint sensor in apple logo ? it will be great idea and everyone will like it

posted on Apr 20, 2017, 7:14 AM 1

27. Slytherin

Posts: 268; Member since: Mar 02, 2017

I'm like Dark I'm interested to see what Apple bring to the table with IOS 11. I Can't see Apple going with a Fingerprint Sensor on the back. And if Samsung manage to bring it to the front on the Note 8, well Apple will be right in the s**t.

posted on Apr 20, 2017, 12:33 PM 0

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