Apple is reportedly not planning to reintroduce the Touch ID feature in its upcoming iPhone 16 lineup. The iPhone X series, launched in 2017, replaced Touch ID with Face ID for facial recognition authentication. Earlier rumors suggested the possible return of Touch ID, but a recent report indicates that Apple has no intentions of bringing back the feature. A post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, shared by an integrated circuit expert, claims that Apple has ceased manufacturing the chips required for Touch ID technology.
While Touch ID is still used in the iPad mini 6 and iPad Air models, it is limited to budget-friendly iPad variants, as the iPad Pro models have transitioned to Face ID. The report suggests that Apple has halted the production of Touch ID chips, emphasizing the company’s commitment to Face ID technology for its flagship iPhones.
Additionally, Apple is said to be working on embedding TrueDepth camera sensors under the display, allowing iPhones to feature an under-display Face ID authentication system for a full-screen experience. The report also mentions Apple’s development of the next-generation iPhone SE 4, which may exclude the Touch ID feature and opt for Face ID instead. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to incorporate all the necessary components for Face ID, potentially moving away from Touch ID or introducing a new authentication mechanism.
If Apple chooses to use a Touch ID mechanism, it is unlikely to be placed on the Home or Power button. The company is exploring options to integrate Touch ID under the display, similar to certain Android smartphones. While the report doesn’t specify whether Apple will favor Face ID or under-display Touch ID for future smartphones, these changes are anticipated in 2026.
