The iPhone’s Speakerphone may change its appearance in 2024
The iPhone’s Speakerphone could be undergoing major changes early next year. The dynamic notch has actually been reduced to a simple hole on the iPhone 16 Pro.
In 2017, at the keynote speech dedicated to the iPhone X, Apple proudly presented the 3D facial recognition Face ID. The brand has added the TrueDepth sensors needed for this technology to work. a notch on the touch screen. This distinctive element, long derided at the time, was also found in the following models.
Last fall, Apple finally announced Dynamic island. Instead of a big notch, the iPhone 14 Pro has a so-called dynamic notch that adapts to the iOS apps being used thanks to a little software magic. This trick allows Apple to reduce the size taken up by Face ID to offer more screen real estate.
To this end, the company has already reduced the size of the iPhone 13 Pro’s Face ID notch. Over the years, Apple engineers have achieved this to miniaturize components facial recognition to save space. This is the work of the module responsible for digitizing the different elements of the face by projecting points of light.
Also read: How a mixed reality headset is vampirizing all of Apple’s resources…even the iPhone’s
A less invasive speaker notch
Next year, the Cupertino giant will aim to go even further. According to South Korean media outlet The Elec, Apple will shut down All sensors essential for Face ID directly below the touch screen. This innovation” Under the panel Face ID feature “. One of the hypothetical high-end versions of next year, the iPhone 16 Pro, will therefore inherit.a more restrained dynamic island. Instead of a double cavity in the form of an elongated pill, we found a fist. This hole will house the photo sensor for selfies only. When not in use, the surrounding app bubble should be noticeably narrower.
Obviously, it is possible that Apple decided to move this photo module under the board. This is a technical challenge, but many competitors have managed to overcome the obstacles. This is the case of Samsung, the market leader. If all the sensors are moved below the screen glass, the Dynamic Island will sink into the bubble displayed by the software… and lose some of its interest.
According to The Elec, Apple is working on photo sensor technology under the plate. On the other hand, this innovation probably wouldn’t be ready for the release of the iPhone 16. Earlier scrolls through the module’s course at the bottom of the screen, Apple probably wants to make sure the quality of selfies doesn’t suffer. South Korean media is hoping for a notch reduced to its simplest expression for the iPhone 16 Pro.
True, Apple reserved the change of the design of the island to Pro versions. The more affordable iPhone 16s should again end up with a Dynamic Island similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. Note that the dynamic notch will be integrated into all iPhone 15s, including the cheapest models expected in September next year.
This is not the first time that the Face ID sensors have been rumored to be moved under the iPhone’s OLED panel. Given the ambitions shown by the manufacturer, sooner or later Apple will have to bet on sensors under the screen, mirroring many Android smartphone manufacturers. The firm has also filed multiple patent applications for Face ID sensors hidden under the display.
This change in aesthetics has its own characteristics many technical difficulties. Apple really needs to make the sensors recognize the user’s face through the glass. Specifically, they will need to be able to project infrared dots to calculate depth of field and “map” the user’s face though the tile.
What about Touch ID under the screen?
At the same time, the company seems interested in the idea of integrating the Touch ID fingerprint reader under the screen. There are legions of patents describing this type of technology in the iPhone. In the mobile phone market, this technology has gradually spread since 2018 thanks to brands like Vivo. Most Android smartphones now have the fingerprint sensor hidden under the plate.
On the iPhone, the reader will only serveAn alternative to Face ID technology, not ready to bow. But despite rumors suggesting the return of Touch ID, Apple is betting everything on facial recognition. This is especially the opinion of Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. According to him, the firm has turned the page and is focusing on improving Face ID.
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