iPhone 16 series could arrive with changes to Face ID design: report

The iPhone 16 series — Apple’s rumored successor to the iPhone 15 lineup — is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks. According to the report, these phones could arrive with notable changes to the company’s Face ID biometric authentication mechanism. Earlier reports suggested that future Apple iPhone 16 Pro models would have support for the new Face ID sensors located under the display, but later said that these updates will not appear until 2025.

iPhone 16 Face ID design changes

A report from DigiTimes (via MacRumors ) says that Apple is expected to “overhaul” its Face ID biometric authentication system on the iPhone 16, which uses facial recognition to unlock the smartphone and protect sensitive apps and payment-related features. The paper cites an earlier report by The Telegraph which said the company’s decision to ditch UK supplier Coherent had led to the supplier considering selling its UK manufacturing facility.

The report does not specify what design changes will affect the Face ID system of the alleged iPhone 16 series. Previous leaks have indicated that the iPhone 16 Pro models will be equipped with support for updated sensors located under the display, which could potentially allow the iPhone to offer a full-screen mode, except Dynamic Island introduced in iPhone 14 Pro.

However, CEO and co-founder of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) Ross Young disputed these claims, previously saying that these updates to Apple’s Face ID system are unlikely to be introduced until 2025, when the iPhone 17 series is expected to launch.

According to previous reports, the iPhone 17 series of smartphones will arrive next year with a noticeable upgrade to the front camera. The Cupertino-based company will reportedly equip its 2025 iPhone models with a 24-megapixel selfie camera that will offer higher-resolution images than the current-generation models with a 12-megapixel camera.