Apple is testing in-display fingerprint sensor for iPhone 13, foldable iPhone also in the works

Apple has begun “early work” on an iPhone that has a folding display, a new report said Bloombergis Mark Gurman. While testing of a foldable iPhone has begun, Apple has not committed to releasing a device with a foldable screen.

Development hasn’t expanded beyond a display, and Apple doesn’t have fully foldable ‌iPhone‌ prototypes in its labs. Like foldable smartphones from other companies, with a foldable iPhone, Apple could create a larger screen in a package that still fits in a pocket size.

Apple has discussed several foldable screen sizes, including one that unfolds to a size similar to the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s 6.7-inch screen. Apple’s designs are said to have a “mostly invisible hinge” with electronics located behind the display rather than two panels separated by a visible hinge.

Bloomberg suggests that a folding ‌iPhone‌ will likely be ‘years away’ or ‘ultimately never introduced’, with Apple focusing mainly on the updates to its flagship iPhones and iPads coming in 2021.

The iPhone 13 models planned for this year are not expected to undergo any major design changes as the 2020 ‌iPhone‌ models marked a major overhaul in technology and design. Apple engineers would consider the iPhones for 2021 to be an “S” version of the 2020 models. Apple has used the “S” nomenclature in the past in years when ‌iPhone‌ models had more minor updates.

While design changes are expected to be minor, Apple is testing an in-screen Touch ID fingerprint reader that would represent a major change in the biometric systems Apple has used for flagship devices since the launch of the iPhone X.

The fingerprint sensor would be available alongside Face ID and would be useful for iPhone users who cannot unlock their iPhones with facial recognition when using masks.

Apple has also considered removing the charging port for some ‌iPhone‌ models in favor of wireless charging, and that seems to be on the table for the 2021 iPhones at this point.

BloombergToday’s report also confirms that AirTags is expected to launch in 2021 and reiterates rumors about iPad Pro suggesting Apple is working on an updated version with a mini LED display and a faster processor.