Face ID reportedly coming to Macs, all iPads and iPhones within a ‘couple of years’
- Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman says Apple will finally bring Face ID to Macs.
- Face ID will also reportedly come to all iPads and iPhones soon.
- Touch ID is currently cheaper for Apple to produce sensors for, and is allegedly the only reason Apple has not implemented Face ID on lower-end devices.
In a new edition of Mark Gurman’s (reliability: 84.38%) Power On newsletter, it was revealed that Apple may be planning to shift to Face ID on all devices, including lower end models such as the iPhone SE and iPad Air which currently feature Touch ID. Touch ID is currently cheaper for Apple to produce sensors for, so the only reason Apple has not implemented Face ID in these devices as of now is costs. Face ID will reportedly also come to Macs in the near future.
But I expect that to eventually change. It won’t happen this year, but I’d bet Face ID on the Mac is coming within a couple of years. I expect all iPhones and iPads to transition to Face ID within that timeframe, too. Eventually, a camera embedded in the screen would help differentiate Apple’s pricier devices by eliminating the notch at the top. The facial recognition sensor gives Apple two central features: security and augmented reality. Touch ID, more convenient or not, only provides the former. — Mark Gurman
Gurman previously stated that Apple will soon release a larger redesigned iMac that may feature Face ID. The problem with Face ID implementation in Macs is related to the small and thin design in which it is hard to fit necessary components. Touch ID in Macs has been rumored for a while now, with references to it appearing in betas of macOS Big Sur last year. These changes will most likely begin to appear in 2022, not 2021, Gurman said.
I think implementing Face ID in all of its major devices is the company’s ultimate goal. If it were possible, Apple would have already nixed Touch ID. But it has had to stick around for a couple of reasons. On the iPhone SE and non-Pro iPads, it’s a cheaper alternative that lets Apple cut costs while still offering security. On Mac laptops, the screens are too thin to implement the necessary depth sensor. — Mark Gurman
Gurman also believes that Apple will eventually embed Face ID sensors directly within device screens, making the notch on iPhones not necessary anymore. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (reliability: 80%) believes these changes may come in 2022 or 2023 when Apple is expected to redesign the iPhone with a possible hole-punch camera system.
Earlier this year, Apple released a redesigned 24-inch iMac featuring the Apple M1 chip. This iMac features a keyboard with optional Touch ID, but no Face ID. It is likely Apple will release a new version with Face ID in the future.
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