Digitimes reports that Apple is working on its own custom “built-in” fingerprint sensor for its next-generation iPhone. This implies that the company will have the sensor built into the display as the iPhone 8 is rumored to have no bezels whatsoever.
Rather than relying on Synaptic or Qualcomm for the technology, Apple will be building the sensor in-house with Authentec algorithms and Privaris glass tech. Interestingly, the report also says that the iPhone 8 will not be going into production until September..
Apple typically needs months of leeway before launching a new iPhone. The company usually sells 15 million units within the opening weekend alone.
A September production date means that Apple could potentially be launching this phone in October or later. Digitimes says that an Apple-custom fingerprint sensor is much more difficult to manufacture.
The new component will use technologies such as ultrasound rather than relying on a capacitive sensor that’s currently being used with Touch ID.
The September production date should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as the last iPhone launched in October was the iPhone 4s. If the phone truly doesn’t begin production in September, we should expect a launch date of late October, at the earliest.
