Apparently so, at least as predicted by noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities. The analyst recently sent a note to investors predicting that the innovative Face ID feature that debuted in this year’s new iPhone models (the iPhone X, the iPhone 8, and the iPhone 8 Plus) will soon be making its way to the iPad Pro, as well as on practically all high end Apple handsets by next year. It bears mentioning that upcoming new iPad models will likely launch in the second half of 2018.
This should not be a surprise to many, especially for Apple’s hardcore fans, but it does qualify as exciting news nonetheless, if it turns out be true. Also, it would definitely be interesting to see how the Face ID experience can be unified across different iOS powered mobile devices. And it goes without saying that developers of iOS apps will now have to explore ways in which they can take full advantage of that crossover functionality.
So now that Face ID will be landing on high end iOS phones and tablets next year, what will happen to the Touch ID feature? When Apple made the decision to go nearly bezel-less for the iPhone X, it was for a couple of reasons -- to maximize the device’s display screen real estate and to pave the way for the Face ID feature. In the process, the tech giant had to do away with the iconic home button.
It might be a different story when it comes to iPad devices? First of all, tablets already have generous screen sizes, so there might be no need to go bezel-less. And having bezels actually offers an advantage for users of iPads -- they have some space for their thumbs to hold the device without touching the active screen. So it is quite possible that the home button, ergo the Touch ID, will be retained. Potentially, future iPad models could have both the Touch ID and the Face ID features.
Of course, Apple has not confirmed anything yet, and given its exemplary track record of keeping secrets before the big reveal, we will likely keep on guessing until fall of next year. But it should be noted that Kuo is almost always correct in his predictions. More than a year ago, he had predicted that three new iPad models would launch during the first half of this year. During that time, he also said that Apple would start using OLED screen panels for next year’s new iPad offerings.
