Apple is widely expected to release its first foldable iPhone later this year, and most reports indicate it will also mark a return to using Touch ID fingerprint recognition as its authentication method.
The last iPhone to use Touch ID was the 3rd generation iPhone SE, released in 2022. While Apple still offers devices with Touch ID, usage of the technology has been limited to certain iPad models.
Now, Bloomberg and several other reports indicate that Apple’s new book-style foldable iPhone will feature a side button with built-in Touch ID for unlocking and authentication.
Apple’s decision to once again use Touch ID on an iPhone is reportedly due to technical constraints related to the upcoming foldable device. The new foldable iPhone is reportedly equipped with a front panel that is too thin to b able to house the Face ID sensor array.
As noted by MacRumors, the Dynamic Island will be a feature on the “iPhone Fold,” as it will still be equipped with a small, front-facing pinhole camera. The feature will continue to offer system alerts, as well as live activities from background apps and processes.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone Fold sometime around mid-September, and is expected to carry a premium price tag, somewhere around $2,000, making it the most expensive iPhone ever.