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Rumors about the iPhone 2021 series appear at regular intervals. Touch ID under the display has been mentioned again and again. Now there is more information - also regarding the notch.
The 2021 iPhone lineup could "likely" feature an under-display fingerprint scanner for authentication in addition to Face ID, according to Barclays analyst Andrew Gardiner and three of his colleagues. In the note to investors, obtained by MacRumors divided , the analysts added that the devices will feature a smaller notch and that the LiDAR scanner will be limited to the iPhone 12S Pro models this year. This statement is in line with a report provided by Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this month.
iPhone 2021: Notch could shrink
Barclays claims to have learned the details from discussions with suppliers. The analysts believe that a smaller notch on the 2021 iPhone models will be the result of a "more tightly integrated version of the current structured light system" for Face ID. A "major change" is not expected until 2022, as Apple apparently aims to introduce a time-of-flight architecture for Face ID, which would enable an "even smaller notch." This information is also consistent with an earlier statement by Kuo. The result would be merely a small hole in the upper part of the display. The research note states:
Return of Touch ID?
For the upcoming iPhone cycle in 2H21, we foresee a more integrated version of the existing structured light system, enabling the long-awaited notch reduction. On the back, we don't expect Apple to expand the use of the Lidar 3D sensor beyond the Pro models.
In addition, analysts believe that Touch ID will be integrated under the display. Kuo predicted this change back in 2019. Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) and Joanna Stern (Wall Street Journal) have also brought Touch ID under the display into play in the meantime. Apple is said to have at least corresponding prototypes. Whether they will ultimately go into mass production remains to be seen, of course. (Photo by Denys Prykhodov / Bigstockphoto)
