Apple Computer Inc. is set to unveil its latest iPhone in about two months, and reports suggest it could offer a cutting-edge new user identification technologies. 

The reports suggest that Apple will launch three new models – an iPhone 7s, 7s Plus and a high-end Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED)-based display iPhone 8 – to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. 

The latest reports emerged from the renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, whose predictions are in line with previous rumors. Other reports have speculated that Touch ID, which Apple introduced with the iPhone 5s in 2013, will be removed completely from the iPhone 8, that color options will be limited to those of the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus and that the device will feature a much smaller bezel, which enables the screen to be larger. Kuo’s latest predictions also corroborate other reports that the physical Home button will disappear in the iPhone 8.  a rumor that dates back to 2015. 

Facial recognition to replace Touch ID

Kuo makes no mention of Touch ID moving elsewhere on the device and states that the iPhone 8 won’t support fingerprint recognition because of the technical issues of incorporating it into a full-screen display. Although other rumors have suggested a fingerprint scanner moving to the rear of the device, these have largely been proven false.

Kuo’s prediction of “3D sensing for facial recognition” suggests Apple may opt for another form of biometric security. Sources close to the project have told Bloomberg that Apple is currently testing an improved security system that will allow iPhone 8 users to unlock their device, approve Apple Pay purchases and launch secure apps by scanning their faces. The technology will use a 3D sensor built into the front-facing camera. To “augment the system,” Apple is also testing eye scanning.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. introduced iris scanning in its Galaxy S8 earlier this year, a security feature that hasn’t proven to be foolproof. Hackers were able to bypass the feature using a printed photo of a person’s face with a contact lens placed on top. Subsequent hacks have even been demonstrated to work using only a photograph.

Apple’s technology is expected to be more secure, as it will use 3D depth perception that shouldn’t be fooled by a two-dimensional photo. Because facial recognition uses more data points than a fingerprint scan, it is also expected to be more secure than Touch ID. If the reports are true, users should be able to unlock a device in few hundred milliseconds. Bloomberg saidthe new facial recognition feature is still being tested and it’s unknown whether it will replace Touch ID as early as the iPhone 8.

Highest screen-to-body ratio

Rumors making the rounds as long ago as last year predicted that the iPhone 8 will have an edge-to-edge display with significantly reduced bezels. Kuo went further with his latest prediction, stating the new device will have “the highest screen-to-body ratio of any smartphone currently available worldwide.”

According to reports in April, the iPhone 8 will have glass in both front and back with curved edges and a thin stainless steel frame that will contain the power and volume controls. The only break in the edge-to-edge display will be cutouts for the earpiece, front-facing camera and facial recognition sensor.

Other rumors

Kuo’s other predictions are consistent with other recent reports that say there will be 64GB and 256GB storage options for all three models, rear-facing cameras and 3GB of RAM in the iPhone 8 and 7s Plus. The iPhone 7s will have a single camera and 2GB of RAM.

All models will have a Lightning connection port, but will also come with an embedded USB-C port for faster charging. The iPhone 8 will also have upgraded speakers and enhanced stereo sound. 

It’s expected that Apple will launch all three models during its usual September event, but due to supply issues that could extend into the first half of 2018.  Kuo expects that the iPhone 8 may be in limited supply for the first few months following launch.   

Image: iphonedigital; Flickr