Foldable iPhone Under-Screen Touch ID Rumor Dismissed by Analyst

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is standing by his prediction that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature Touch ID integrated into the side button rather than an under-display fingerprint sensor.

Apple Foldable Thumb
In a post on X (Twitter) today, Kuo referenced his March forecast for the rumored 2026 device: "Six months ago, I predicted the foldable iPhone would use side-button Touch ID." Kuo goes on:

"There are now market rumors that it will adopt an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, but I think that's unlikely. It's expected that Luxshare ICT will supply the side-button Touch ID module for the foldable iPhone."

Kuo's original prediction outlined a book-style foldable iPhone with an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch outer screen, priced between $2,000 and $2,500. He suggested Apple would skip Face ID authentication to save internal space in the folded design. Apple has already used side button-integrated Touch ID for the iPad Air and iPad mini, so the design choice is not unprecedented.

Camera-wise, the foldable iPhone is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states, according to Kuo.

Both Kuo and fellow analyst Jeff Pu say mass production is planned for the second half of 2026. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has said he expects the device to be launched next year in the fall season.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17's 'Awe Dropping' Accessories

Friday August 29, 2025 8:12 am PDT by
Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the iPhone 17's new thermal system with ...

Top Rated Comments

Rachid Vàzquez Avatar
2 hours ago at 03:59 am

From a shareholders perspective which is the main and only customer for Apple. This makes perfect sense. Increase the price two-fold but downgrade it two-fold too.

Maximum profit.
Downgrade? Why would Touch ID be considered a downgrade? I don't get it...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac Fly (film) Avatar
2 hours ago at 03:51 am
Rumor dismissed as rumor.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
latts Avatar
2 hours ago at 03:51 am
I understand the space issue but for a flagship device to not have face ID seems strange to me. Yes in the iPad Air/Mini but they aren't flagship
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rachid Vàzquez Avatar
2 hours ago at 04:02 am

I understand the space issue but for a flagship device to not have face ID seems strange to me. Yes in the iPad Air/Mini but they aren't flagship
Why put two Face ID sensors (one inside, one outside) when you could just use a single Touch ID?
It makes no sense from an engineering standpoint.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Plutonius Avatar
1 hour ago at 04:51 am
I actually like the side switch mounted Touch ID in my iPad mini.

I think that a more interesting discussion is what year Apple will finally release a foldable iPhone :).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
2 hours ago at 04:17 am
Would it be cool to have a phone that unfolds into a much bigger screen in my pocket? Sure it would.

Is it worth the price of an iPhone Pro + 2 iPads with likely significantly poorer durability and at best average battery life? Yeah, probably not, but curious to see how they do and what innovations or use cases the new form factor will enable.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)