In his latest note to investors, TF security analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared Apple’s plans for future iPhone models, beyond 2022. Kuo claims that the company will introduce an under-screen Touch ID sensor in the 2023 iPhone models. Previously, he said that 2022 iPhones will offer the aforementioned feature.
As other smartphone manufacturers are improving under-screen technology like ZTE, Samsung, and Oppo, it is speculated that Apple will also explore the under-screen display technology to remove the notch and introduce Touch ID sensor.
It was reported that Apple tested the in-screen Touch ID for iPhone 13 to easily unlock the smartphone while wearing a mask but the feature did not make the cut. As per Kuo, the slow development of the technology has pushed its launch time ahead by a year.
Apple’s foldable iPhone will now launch in 2024, not 2023
Since 2020, several reports have claimed that Apple is developing a foldable iPhone, and granted patents also reveal that the company is indeed exploring the functionality and features of a foldable model. Previously, Kuo claimed that the foldable iPhone will launch in 2023 but now he gives a 2024 launch time.
Although Kuo’s new report does not provide further details of the expected iPhone models, his earlier report claims that the foldable iPhone will have an 8-inch screen with two QHD+ flexible OLED displays connected with a hinge in the middle. SDC will be the exclusive display supplier and Samsung Foundry will be the exclusive provider of DDI foundry.
Based on the company’s capacity plan, Kuo estimates that the shipment of foldable iPhones will reach 15 to 20 million units. Because Apple develops the software and the hardware, he believes that the iPhone maker will be the winner of the foldable devices.
At present, the product position of foldable smartphones is mainly to integrate the smartphone and tablet. But we believe that the foldable smartphone is only one of the applications of the foldable design. We predict that foldable devices will blur the product segmentations between smartphones, tablets, and laptops in the future. With its cross-product ecosystems and hardware design advantages, Apple will be the biggest winner in the new foldable device trend.
In his new note, Kuo also gave some color on iPhone 14 Pro which is expected to come with a punch-hold display with an under-screen Face ID sensor and no notch.
via MacRumors
