Those of you waiting to buy the upcoming iPhone 8 may have to wait a little bit longer due to the phone being delayed. Reports say that the delay is because Apple is currently having trouble integrating their Touch ID sensor underneath the front panel display of the phone, a research note from KeyBanc Capital Markets analysts Andy Hargreaves, John Vinh, and Josh Beck further confirm this.
The note from the analysis states that Apple still hasn’t been able to embed the Touch ID sensor into the display of the iPhone 8 in a way that it will still retain the accuracy and processing speed that iPhone users are accustomed to. The note also states that if Apple if unable to figure out a solution to the problem in the upcoming weeks they will be forced to completely scrap the project altogether.
Hargreaves had this to say in a note regarding Apple’s issues with the Touch ID sensors, “Apple continues to struggle with the workaround for the fingerprint sensor, this increases the potential that the new OLED iPhone could be delayed, or ship without a fingerprint sensor, either of which could increase risk to unit sales and mix for the cycle.” Touch ID was first introduced on the iPhone 5s as a quicker and easier alternative to passwords, the use of Touch ID was a big improvement to the security of the iPhone as well as being a major source of the sales boost for the iPhones. The note went on to say that it would take approximately 12 weeks after order for the fingerprint scanners were ordered are placed for full production of the iPhones to commence. However, if Apple is able to solve the problems regarding the fingerprint sensors before the orders before August then production of the could start in late October or early November.
Apple’s second option would be to completely scrap the fingerprint sensor technology altogether and instead focus on facial recognition, however, facial recognition will not be able to work without a clear line of sight to the user’s face and would not be a good alternative to removing the fingerprint sensors, as this could hinder the quick and easy use of payment options such as Apple Pay which people have become accustomed to. While the facial recognition technology is a breakthrough for Apple there is no doubt that it will still be in the experimental stages even after the phone is released and the Touch ID sensors will be preferable, another option for Apple is to put the Touch ID sensors on the back of the phones similar to the design of some Android phones. Hopefully, with further development, Apple will find a solution to the problem surrounding the Touch ID sensors.
Featured Image via Flickr/BagoGames
