Could the iPhone 6 feature a fingerprint scanner in the bezel?
The fingerprint scanner heavily rumoured to feature within the iPhone 6 could be hidden in the handset's bezel, latest Apple patent filings have suggested.
With Apple long rumoured to be bringing a biometric security boost to its future smartphones, a newly unveiled patent application from the company has suggested fingerprint scanners on mobile device could be hidden away under the bezel to save space.
Suggesting that Apple’s engineers have found a way to incorporate the fingerprint scanner within the iPhone’s frame, the patent has pointed to the advancement not only keeping the thickness of hosting products down, but ensuring the biometric sensor is protected from the rigours of being attached to such a frequently used product.
Appearing courtesy of PatentlyApple, the fingerprint encompassing patent has been accompanied by a detailed explanation. The reports stated: “By encasing both the bezel and the sensor die in the encapsulation structure, the elements may be brought closer together than otherwise possible. In addition, the encapsulation structure physically protects the bezel and sensor die, and in particular maintains the spacing there between in a fashion that isn't possible by currently known device designs.”
Although encompassed by the iPhone’s conductive bezel, it has been suggested that the integrated fingerprint scanner will create a slight bulge on the handset’s form factor.
Far from the first time Apple has been rumoured to be plotting a fingerprint scanner for its next-gen iPhone, reports kicked into overdrive late last year when the Cupertino based company behind the iPad mini and iMac acquired fingerprint technology specialist AuthenTech.
Adding further fuel to the fire, earlier this year Apple listed a fingerprint themed job application, with the new employee to work out near AuthenTech’s base on “low-level code to configure and control hardware.”
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