iPhone 16 series could arrive with Face ID design changes

The iPhone 16 series — Apple’s rumored smartphones that are expected to succeed the iPhone 15 lineup — are expected to launch in the coming weeks. These devices could arrive with a notable change to the company’s Face ID biometric authentication mechanism, according to a report. Previous reports suggested that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models would arrive with support for new under-display Face ID sensors, but these upgrades would reportedly arrive later in 2025.

iPhone 16 Face ID design changes

A DigiTimes report (through MacRumors) claims that Apple is expected to “revamp” its Face ID biometric authentication system on the iPhone 16, which uses facial recognition to unlock the smartphone and secure sensitive applications and payment-related functions. The publication cites an earlier report from The Telegraph that states The company’s decision to drop UK supplier Coherent has led to the supplier considering selling its UK manufacturing facility.

The report doesn’t specify what design changes will make their way to the Face ID system on the alleged iPhone 16 series. Previous leaks have indicated that the iPhone 16 Pro models would come with support for upgraded under-display sensors, potentially allowing the iPhone to offer an all-screen display minus the Dynamic Island introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro.

However, these claims were refuted by Ross Young, CEO and co-founder of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC). He previously stated that these upgrades to Apple’s Face ID system are unlikely to happen until 2025, despite the company’s expected release of the iPhone 17 series in 2025.

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