Sorry, iPhone 16 is Not Getting Touch ID from Apple, Both In-Screen or Via Power Button

The anticipated return of the Touch ID on the upcoming iPhone 16 faced bad news earlier today, and this is because a renowned expert shut down the possibility of this security feature launching next year. Many reports and rumors danced around the idea of Apple returning this highly-requested feature, with the Fingerprint scanner appearing alongside the Face ID.

Only one special security feature appeared for each Apple iPhone release, as either it only had a Touch ID scanner or a Face ID for its biometric authentication.

Sorry, the iPhone 16 is Not Getting a Touch ID

In what was supposed to be a back-to-back security feature for next year's iPhone, it was announced by a renowned integrated circuit expert via Weibo that the iPhone 16 is not getting a Touch ID. As per the intel they provided, most of the original equipment used to manufacture Touch ID chips for the iPhone production has faced a permanent shutdown.

They also regarded that the remaining units meant for the Touch ID chips are only used for the 3rd-gen iPhone SE, a device last released in 2022.

Apart from this, the Weibo source claimed that the iPhone 16 series will see a chip made via a distinct manufacturing process that would help reduce the costs of producing the next-gen A-series Bionic chips.

Touch ID Rumors: In-Screen, Power Button

MacRumors reported that many sources talk about Apple's plans to add an in-display Touch ID feature, much like several Android phones now, alongside the move of Face ID under the screen. These changes would arrive by 2026, with its display offering more to see without the Face and Touch ID obstructions.

It was also regarded that the next iPhone SE will also feature the Face ID.

Apple's Touch ID Legacy

For years on end, Apple has been facing rumors from industry experts, analysts, and speculators about the return of its Touch ID security feature for iPhones, and it has been going on since it last offered it in 2018. After the iPhone X's release, many claimed that Apple was dropping the Face ID in favor of an under-display Touch ID, but that was not the case for the iPhone 11 released in 2019.

It is important to note that the last mainline iPhone release to see the Touch ID was with the iconic iPhone 8, the popular device that went on par despite the arrival of the 10th-anniversary special release of the iPhone X. But if considering all iPhone models, the iPhone SE 3 released in 2022 was the last to get the Touch ID feature, with many referring it to be a refurbished iPhone 8.

Some users prefer the no-touch Face ID to unlock their devices and use for security authentications, but some still want the Touch ID. However, their desires seem not enough for Apple to consider its return, with the company already shutting down its chip development meant for the Touch ID and the iPhone 16 exclusively getting the Face ID next year.