Apple Reportedly Struggling to Embed Touch ID Into iPhone 8 Display

One of the most prevalent rumors regarding the highly-anticipated iPhone 8 is that the Touch ID technology would be seamlessly embedded into the display. However, according to new report from AppleInsider, making this rumour a reality is proving to be quite the headache for Apple, based on research from an analyst.

According to a research note from analyst Timothy Arcuri of Cowen and Company, yields of a new fingerprint sensor that would be integrated into the Apple’s next flagship screen are low and that Apple may consider other less-exciting designs if the production problems cannot be solved.

“For the 5.8-inch OLED version, the biggest bottleneck remains integrating an under-glass fingerprint sensor into the display— the current yield rate of Apple’s in-house AuthenTec solution remains low and [Apple] seems unwilling to use other vendors’ products,” Arcuri wrote.

If Apple can’t fix the problem, Arcuri gave three potential solutions to fix the Touch ID issues.

The first would be to ditch Touch ID completely and rely on facial recognition. The second option would be to move the Touch ID to the back of the iPhone, although, clearly, that wouldn’t be as user friendly. The third workaround would be delaying the production of the iPhone 8, finding a suitable solution, but still announcing the device this fall alongside the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus.

“The analyst also referred to recent rumours that the 3D sensors expected to be included in the next-generation iPhone could cause delays, but Arcuri said he does not believe that to be the case,” reads the report.

Take this one with a grain of salt–there’s still lots of time until the fall for Apple to figure this out, if it’s actually an issue.

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