Apple Developing In-Screen Fingerprint Sensor to Debut as Early as 2020: Bloomberg

Apple is reportedly developing an under-the-screen fingerprint sensor to debut in iPhones as early as next year.

While not a novel innovation — a fair amount of 2019 phones, including the latest from Samsung and OnePlus, already make use of similar tech — it would allow Apple to add a new secure way to get into the phone while keeping the edge-to-edge design the recent iPhone line has had, reads a new report from Bloomberg.

According to the author, “The upcoming fingerprint reader would be embedded in the screen, letting a user scan their fingerprint on a large portion of the display, and it would work in tandem with the existing Face ID system, the people familiar with Apple’s plans said.”

If the new sensor does arrive to future iPhones, users would be able to unlock their devices and authenticate transactions using either Face ID or their fingerprints. If Apple’s testing doesn’t work out at first, however, the feature might not arrive until 2021, reads the report.

This news supports the patent filed by Apple in February, which outlines display fingerprint-sensing tech that scans with vibrations to measure an object that’s pressed up against the glass of the display.

Next week, Apple is expected to introduce its 2019 iPhone models, dubbed the “iPhone 11” and the “iPhone 11 Pro.” Those models are expected to retain Face ID and also feature rear camera improvements and processor upgrades.

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.