No, unfortunately none of the iPhone 14 models released in 2022 include a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. Apple decided to forego Touch ID again this year, sticking with Face ID as the only biometric authentication system across the entire iPhone 14 lineup.
As a headphone enthusiast who reviews mobile audio products, I know many listeners still prefer Touch ID and were hoping for its return. But let‘s take a deeper look at why it‘s missing from the iPhone 14, when we might finally see its comeback, and how fingerprint vs face unlock compare for accessing your essential music apps.
Touch ID and iPhones: A Brief History
Before jumping into the iPhone 14 details, some quick background on Touch ID for context…
Touch ID first arrived back in 2013 with the iPhone 5S, bringing fingerprint authentication to iPhones for the first time. It was built right into the home button, allowing you to simply rest your finger to unlock the phone or approve purchases.
According to Apple, Touch ID scanned sub-epidermal skin layers to extract fingerprint data, using an advanced capacitive sensor. I still remember how futuristic it felt at the time!
The feature became a staple through the iPhone 6 to iPhone 8 series, making password typing a thing of the past. It was not only more convenient than typing a passcode, but offered a major security upgrade.
But in 2017, everything changed with the introduction of Face ID on the iPhone X. This new facial recognition system used advanced infrared cameras to unlock your phone just by looking at it.
And because Face ID didn‘t require a home button, it enabled a true full-screen design. So after 4 years as a core iPhone feature, Touch ID vanished from flagship models.
However, it did remain on budget iPhone options like the SE. So Touch ID never fully disappeared – it just got relegated to Apple‘s more affordable devices.
Now in 2022 with the iPhone 14 series, Face ID continues its dominance as the biometric star. Let‘s look at why Touch ID hasn‘t made a comeback yet.
Why No Touch ID on the iPhone 14? Apple‘s Possible Reasoning
Based on the latest teardowns and hardware analysis, a few factors likely guided Apple‘s decision to omit Touch ID again this year:
Under-Screen Sensors Still Aren‘t Perfected
Many reports indicate Apple has been working on integrating the Touch ID fingerprint scanner under the display glass. This would bring back fingerprint unlocking without requiring a physical home button.
However, multiple sources claim Apple has struggled to produce a version of this technology to their satisfaction. Embedding it reliably below the screen while maintaining image quality and accuracy has proven difficult.
Display industry analysts like Ross Young believe under-panel Touch ID still has issues like optical clarity to resolve before going mainstream. If true, this likely means more development time needed.
Until under-display Touch ID is refined enough for mass production, retaining the home button would be required – which simply doesn‘t fit Apple‘s all-screen iPhone vision.
Face ID is Still the Gold Standard
Since launching with the 2017 iPhone X, Face ID has become Apple‘s championship biometric system. It offers a truly futuristic unlocking experience with remarkable speed and accuracy.
According to Apple engineers, Face ID uses precision depth mapping with neural networks to detect minute facial details – far beyond just your eyes or general face shape. This enables reliable facial verification even when wearing sunglasses or masks.
And crucially for music lovers, Face ID works seamlessly across various angles and distances, without needing to tap anything. That means smoothly accessing Spotify without interrupting your headphones!
For these reasons, Face ID remains the most convenient and most secure biometric option for premium new iPhones. Apple seems intent on perfecting it before worrying about re-introducing Touch ID.
Engineering and Design Constraints
Bringing back Touch ID would require re-engineering the iPhone design, display, sensor layout, and more.
It would also mean increased production costs and complexity, for arguably limited benefit beside user familiarity. With Face ID meeting security and convenience needs for front unlocking, Touch ID may feel redundant.
And according to supply chain analysts, Apple is still iPhone 14 production margins amid rising costs. This environment makes producing multiple biometric systems less appealing.
Touch ID Still an Option on iPhone SE
Importantly, while absent on the iPhone 14, Touch ID does still exist across the cheaper iPhone SE line. It remains an option for those wanting a more affordable iPhone with fingerprint unlock.
The iPhone SE provides a nice alternative for listeners not yet ready to lose their tactile home button or prefer fingerprint over facial unlocking.
So in summary, while the iPhone 14 misses out, Touch ID lives on through the iPhone SE – so isn‘t completely extinct just yet.
When Will Touch ID Return? Potential Timeline
Hopefully the above gives some context on why Apple passed on resurrecting Touch ID for the iPhone 14 series. But when might we finally see it return? Here‘s an outlook on possible timeframes:
2023 – Reports suggest under-display Touch ID unlikely even for iPhone 15 next year. Face ID expected to remain solo.
2024 – More potential for iPhone 16, giving Apple engineers more time to perfect embedded sensor tech. But no guarantees.
2025 and Beyond – This seems the most credible timeframe for under-screen Touch ID to possibly debut, according to Ming-Chi Kuo. But slated roadmap could still change.
My take? We‘ll almost certainly need to wait at least until 2024 before in-display Touch ID arrives on premium iPhone models, if not longer. Face ID will continue its reign through at least the iPhone 15 in 2023.
But never say never – with rapid mobile tech advances, you can never rule out an unexpected surprise! Either way, the return of Touch ID should eventually provide benefits like:
Faster fingerprint unlocking in more situations like cold weather glove use
Mask unlock compatibility during ongoing pandemic measures
Enhanced accessibility for those more comfortable with fingerprint scanning
More consumer choice between Face ID or Touch ID on premium iPhone models
So for listeners and general iPhone users alike, under-screen Touch ID promises to be a welcome upgrade down the road. We just need to remain patient!
How Do Face ID and Touch ID Compare?
While we await the comeback of Touch ID, how do the user experiences compare between Apple‘s biometric systems?
Here‘s a high level breakdown of some differences based on my use:
| Feature | Touch ID | Face ID |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Very fast unlock | Slightly faster, invisible |
| Accuracy | Very reliable | Very reliable |
| Hand Position | Requires touch | No hand needed |
| Authentication Angle | Straight on | Multi-angle |
| Glasses Use | Works fine | Can struggle with some sunglasses |
| Facial Changes | N/A | Can cause issues |
| Mask Unlocking | ❌ Incompatible | ✅ Proven to work |
| Weather Resilience | ❌ Fails with wet fingers | ✅ High resilience |
| Display Impact | ❌ Home button required | ✅ Fully invisible |
To me, Face ID delivers marginally better convenience and accessibility overall. But plenty of listeners still prefer the natural feel of fingerprint unlocking – hence the desire for its comeback!
The dream scenario seems to be offering both systems on future premium iPhones. That way users could choose the biometric method best suited to their needs and preferences.
Current iPhone Models With Touch ID
While we wait on under-screen Touch ID, a few existing iPhone options still offer fingerprint sensors if needed:
iPhone SE (2nd Gen, 2020) – Includes traditional physical home button with integrated Touch ID sensor. Also most affordable current iPhone.
iPhone SE (3rd Gen, 2022) – Latest iPhone SE with upgraded internals, but same home button Touch ID as prior generation.
iPhone 8 (2017) – Dates back over 5 years but supports modern iOS. Features 4.7" display with front Touch ID.
For listeners seeking Touch ID capability from a new iPhone today, the iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd Gen) is your best bet. iPhone 8 is possible used/refurbished, but quite outdated at this point.
Below is a spec comparison between the current iPhones with Touch ID:
| Phone | Display | Chip | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2nd Gen) | 4.7" LCD | A13 Bionic | 2020 |
| iPhone SE (3rd Gen) | 4.7" LCD | A15 Bionic | 2022 |
| iPhone 8 | 4.7" LCD | A11 Bionic | 2017 |
So in summary – the SE 3rd Gen offers the most modern iPhone experience with Touch ID today, but the SE 2nd Gen still provides solid performance and value.
Will Any Updates Add Touch ID to Existing iPhone 14 Models?
This question comes up often – could Touch ID somehow be enabled later on existing iPhone 14 models via a software update?
Unfortunately that seems virtually impossible. The integrated hardware just does not exist within any of the current iPhone 14 line:
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
None have the required under-display fingerprint sensors built-in. And unlike software-based features, biometric authentication requires specific physical technology.
So unless Apple somehow embedded hidden Touch ID components not yet activated, don‘t expect fingerprint unlock to magically appear on your iPhone 14 later on. Software can improve Face ID, but cannot invent new sensors entirely!
Closing Thoughts on Touch ID and the iPhone 14
In closing, the absence of Touch ID on all iPhone 14 models is a downer for listeners who still prefer fingerprint biometrics. But Apple appears focused on perfecting under-display solutions before bringing it back to premium iPhones.
While Face ID on the iPhone 14 does offer high convenience, Touch ID still feels more natural to many users – myself included! There are advantages like mask and glove compatibility that preserve its appeal.
Hopefully by iPhone 16 in 2024 or not much later, Apple finally manages to embed Touch ID directly into the display. At that point iPhone users may finally get the choice between fast fingerprint or futuristic facial unlock!
Until then, we‘ll need to look to budget models like the iPhone SE for built-in fingerprint authentication. Or just remain patient for the inevitable return of Touch ID to take the iPhone experience to the next level.
But fingerprint scanner aside, there is still a ton to love about the iPhone 14 models for music playback! Between awesome battery life, improved cameras, faster performance, and shiny new features like the Always-On Display, Apple‘s latest flagships deliver as top-tier listening devices.
As a headphone reviewer, I only wish they included a headphone jack again! But dongles get the job done well enough for audiophiles in the post-jack world.
So in summary – no Touch ID on iPhone 14, but still phenomenal devices overall for tunes on the go. And the dream of under-screen fingerprint unlock persists for a future generation!
How do you feel about Apple skipping Touch ID again? Which unlocking method do you prefer for quickly accessing your essential audio apps? Let me know in the comments!
