Apple test fingerprint sensor on screen for iPhone 13, foldable iPhone, also available

Apple has started ‘early work’ with an iPhone with a foldable screen, according to a new report from Bloombergsee Mark Gurman. Although testing of a foldable ‘iPhone’ has begun, Apple has not committed to releasing a device that has a foldable screen.

Development has not yet expanded beyond a showdown and Apple does not have the full foldable iPhone prototypes in its labs. Like foldable smartphones from other companies, a foldable ‘iPhone’ can allow Apple to create a larger screen in a package that is still sagging.

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

Bloomberg suggests that a collapsible ‘iPhone’ is likely ‘years away’ or ‘may never be launched’, and Apple is mostly focusing on the updates of its flagship iPhones and iPads coming in 2021.

The iPhone 13 models planned for this year are not expected to contain major design changes, as the 2020 ‌iPhone‌ models were a major technological and design overhaul. Apple engineers are said to consider the 2021 iPhones as an “S” version of the 2020 models. Apple has used the “S” nomenclature in the past in years when ‌iPhone‌ models contained more minor updates.

Although there are expected to be minor design changes, Apple is testing a Touch ID fingerprint reader on the screen that would be a big change in the biometric systems that Apple has used for the launch of the dieiPhone‌ X for flagship devices.

The fingerprint sensor will be made available in addition to Face ID, and will be convenient for ‌iPhone‌ users who cannot unlock their iPhones with face recognition when using masks.

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

BloombergToday’s report also confirms that AirTags is expected to see a launch in 2021 and it repeats the iPad Pro rumors suggesting that Apple is working on an updated version with a mini-LED screen and a faster processor.