iPhone With In-Display Fingerprint Sensor and No Face ID Rumoured for China

Apple may launch a new affordable iPhone model for the Chinese market this year.

Advertisement
By Harpreet Singh | Updated: 3 July 2019 13:54 IST
Highlights
  • Rumours have it that Apple may launch an iPhone tailored for China
  • The new iPhone model is said to be more affordable
  • Face ID may be replaced by an under-display fingerprint sensor
iPhone With In-Display Fingerprint Sensor and No Face ID Rumoured for China

Rumours suggest Apple may launch an affordable iPhone model in China

Photo Credit: Apple

Apple ditched its fingerprint sensor, Touch ID, for a more advanced facial authentication method, Face ID, on its current lineup of flagship smartphones. While Apple is expected to further improve its Face ID technology in upcoming iPhone models this year, the Cupertino-based tech giant may be looking to introduce a cheaper iPhone model this year, targeted at the Chinese market. If it's true, this will be the first time Apple will launch a new iPhone model built for a specific market.

Multiple reports from Chinese media, including one from The Global Times, suggest that Apple will launch a new iPhone model in China to compete with local players such as Oppo, Xiaomi, and others. The new iPhone model may ditch Face ID for an under-display fingerprint sensor.

These reports have cited sources within the industry supply chain. The reports suggest Apple's new iPhone model in China will be more affordable as it replaces the more expensive TrueDepth camera system with an under-display fingerprint sensor on an OLED panel.

Apple currently uses its TrueDepth camera setup, housed in a display notch, on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and the iPhone X to power Face ID. Several Chinese smartphone companies have been offering new phones with an in-display fingerprint sensor in their mid-range and premium devices.

Advertisement

While Apple hasn't made iPhone models specifically for any market yet, it has made some special changes for the Chinese market in the past. Apple's iPhone XS and iPhone XR models in China feature physical dual-SIM support while the rest of the countries use a physical SIM card and an eSIM combination.

However, completely removing Face ID for an under-display fingerprint sensor for just one specific market seems too far fetched, even for Apple. It's also unclear how much money Apple could really save by using an under-display fingerprint scanner instead of its TrueDepth cameras. We urge readers to take this rumour with a pinch of salt, despite the numerous sources uttering them.

Advertisement

This isn't the first time we're hearing rumours of Apple working on an under-display fingerprint sensor for the iPhone. However, Apple put them to rest when it adopted Face ID for all its flagship phones. Previous reports have suggested that 2019 iPhone models will feature iterative updates to the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. iPhone 17 to Feature Slightly Larger Display Than iPhone 16, Tipster Says
  1. Infinix Hot 60i Launched With MediaTek Helio G81 Ultimate SoC, 50-Megapixel Rear Camera
  2. OpenAI Said to Turn to Google's AI Chips to Power ChatGPT and Other Products
  3. Samsung Tipped to Unveil Tri-Fold Smartphone With Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7; Launch Timeline Leaked
  4. iPhone 17 to Feature Slightly Larger Display Than iPhone 16, Tipster Claims
  5. Microsoft's Next-Gen AI Chip Production Reportedly Delayed to 2026
  6. Dead NASA Satellite Relay 2 May Have Caused Mysterious 2024 Radio Burst
  7. James Webb Telescope Captures First Direct Image of Saturn-Mass Exoplanet
  8. James Webb Telescope Detects Methanol and Ethanol Near Young Stars, Hinting at Life’s Origins
  9. Rubin Observatory Captures Distant Nebulae From Chilean Mountaintop
  10. Apple to Expand Swift Language Support to Android; Sets Up Android Working Group
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.