This makes the face recognition of Face ID model almost paralyzed.
Users with Apple Watch are fine. Apple's auxiliary unlocking function on iOS 14.5 system allows users to unlock the iPhone through Apple Watch while wearing a mask.
However, it is really inconvenient for more users who don't have Apple Watch to enter a password or temporarily take off their masks to unlock their mobile phones.
The outbreak of the epidemic in the past two years has made Apple users have a high voice for the iPhone to return to fingerprint recognition.
Judging from the current news, this year's iPhone 13 has a high probability that there will be no fingerprint recognition, and there is still only Face ID.
However, the return of fingerprint recognition on iPhone has been put on the agenda by Apple.
According to the news previously exposed by Apple's first brother Guo Ming, Apple will bring the fingerprint recognition function to the iPhone released next year as soon as possible, and the new iPhone will realize the coexistence of two biometric identification schemes, namely off-screen fingerprint and face recognition.
At present, for Apple, the optional fingerprint identification schemes include side fingerprints and off-screen fingerprints, while for users, everyone expects Apple to bring off-screen fingerprints on the future iPhone.
A patent that has just been exposed also shows that Apple prefers off-screen fingerprint technology.
According to 9to5mac, Apple recently obtained a patent describing how to integrate two biometric methods at the bottom of the screen.
Apple plans to integrate the front camera and Face ID sensor into the bottom of the screen to achieve a true full-screen design.
The patent focuses on how to embed an image sensor in the screen to read fingerprints, that is, the touch ID under the screen.
The content of patent is very long. Simply put, the sensor at the bottom of the screen can capture the designated area touched by the user, and the user can quickly identify and obtain fingerprint information by putting his finger on the screen.
Off-screen technology is not only suitable for fingerprint identification, but Apple's goal is to integrate the sensors needed for Face ID at the bottom of the screen, so as to realize off-screen fingerprint and Face ID and truly comprehensive screen design.
Apple said that the device can achieve off-screen imaging through any suitable sensing, light capture and other means, including but not limited to Face ID.
Integrating Face ID and Touch ID into the screen, while canceling bangs, is definitely the ultimate form of iPhone for users.
In addition to iPhone and iPad, Apple will also carry Face ID technology on Mac in the future. Face ID under the screen can bring face recognition technology without increasing the border width.
Although there is still a gap between patents and practical applications, Apple has applied for a number of patents related to off-screen fingerprints in recent years.
We have reason to believe that it is only a matter of time before the touch ID returns to the flagship iPhone.
We will wait and see whether there will be an iPhone with fingerprint and face recognition on the screen next year.