New Report Reignites Rumours of 5G iPhone Featuring Under-Display Fingerprint Scanner

Reports indicating that this year’s 5G iPhone may feature an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner have come and gone over the months. However, a new report has brought those rumours back to the table.

According to a translated report from Economic Daily News, at least one high-end model of Apple’s 5G iPhone could feature an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. Through the translation, it is said that GIS, BOE, and Qualcomm are in fact collaborating on ultrasonic technology. GIS is known for producing touch panels, while BOE develops OLED displays.

Through information gathered by sources, EDN stated that Apple could plan to include the under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanning technology in its slate this year. The current timeline indicates that although plans are set for 2020, that it could be pushed to 2021.

EDN’s report backs up previous claims made by Bloomberg and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, conflicting reports have been a regular occurrence. At one point Bloomberg believed that the fingerprint scanner could be debuted in either 2020 or 2021. Ming-Chi Kuo and later, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, believes 2021 is more likely.

It could be that Apple’s initial plans were to include the under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner in 2020’s 5G iPhone at first. However, due to unknown optics, that timeline may have been pushed to 2021 for a more steady launch of the new technology.

Currently, Qualcomm supplies the ultrasonic fingerprint sensors to Samsung’s Galaxy series. It’s unknown how Apple will choose to iterate on the tech when implemented in its own smartphone line.

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