In a decisive move, Apple appears poised to retire the Touch ID fingerprint authentication technology permanently, marking a significant shift in its upcoming iPhone 16 lineup.
Recent reports suggest that the manufacturing equipment responsible for producing chips for iPhone Touch ID has been officially shut down, with the remaining units reserved for the third-generation iPhone SE. An industry expert’s post on Weibo, initially discovered by macrumours, has shed light on this development.
Furthermore, there are indications that the fourth-generation iPhone SE will transition to Face ID, thereby concluding the era of Touch ID on the last iPhone model featuring this technology. While Face ID is expected to take center stage in upcoming models, persistent rumors suggest that Apple is actively exploring under-display fingerprint technology. If these speculations hold true, this technology could potentially make its debut around 2026, aligning with the anticipated timeframe for integrating Face ID beneath the device’s display.
Apple enthusiasts can anticipate a flurry of new products in early 2024, with the company reportedly launching a new M3 Mac Mini, updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, and the much-anticipated Apple Vision Pro.
Moreover, speculations abound regarding the introduction of 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with OLED displays, a new iPad Air, third-generation AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and a revamped Apple TV later in the same year.
A particularly intriguing rumor circulating is that Apple is actively developing a foldable tablet, potentially set to be unveiled in 2025 or beyond. According to a report from Digitimes, Apple is in the early stages of creating a foldable iPad, with production slated to commence by the end of the following year. This signals Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the tech industry.
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