Apple’s first foldable iPhone is increasingly expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 lineup, and one detail keeps standing out in the latest chatter: it may ship without Face ID. Instead, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo continues to forecast a side-mounted Touch ID sensor as Apple’s chosen biometric solution, a prediction he first made months ago and has not backed away from despite new rumors.
According to Kuo, Apple is likely to source this side-button Touch ID module from Luxshare ICT, a key supplier in the company’s hardware ecosystem. That call adds weight to the idea that Face ID hardware won’t make the cut for Apple’s debut foldable, which is rumored to target a launch window in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Why move away from Face ID on a flagship? There are a few practical reasons that make a side-mounted fingerprint reader a smart play for a foldable device:
– Under-display fingerprint tech is still finicky under certain conditions. Ultrasonic sensors can struggle with moisture, gloves, or debris, leading to inconsistent unlocks and a frustrating user experience.
– A book-style foldable form factor typically uses two displays. Implementing a single, flawless in-screen sensor across that setup is complex; adding two sensors would increase cost and engineering complexity. A unified side-mounted Touch ID solves both problems elegantly.
– Apple already ships reliable side-button Touch ID on devices like the iPad Air. Tapping into that mature design and existing supply chain shortens development timelines and keeps costs down compared to spinning up a new under-display fingerprint production line.
This approach also meshes with Apple’s reputation for prioritizing reliability and consistency in core interactions. A side-mounted sensor is fast, familiar, and unobtrusive. It’s easy to use whether the phone is open or closed, and it avoids the compromises that can come with embedding biometric hardware under flexible OLED panels.
While some recent rumors have floated the idea of an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader for the foldable iPhone, Kuo maintains that scenario is unlikely. His stance hasn’t changed in roughly half a year, and the supplier detail he shared—identifying Luxshare ICT as the expected provider—points to a component plan that seems well along.
If these predictions hold, Apple’s foldable could set itself apart by focusing on seamless day-to-day usability rather than chasing spec-sheet novelty. A robust hinge, premium materials, and a refined book-style design would pair naturally with a dependable side-button Touch ID, even if Face ID sits this generation out.
What to watch as we get closer to 2026:
– Continued supplier reports around biometric modules and hinge components
– Software cues in iOS that indicate how Apple plans to handle authentication across cover and main displays
– Battery and durability claims, which are critical to any foldable’s appeal
For now, the most consistent picture is clear: Apple’s first foldable iPhone is tracking toward a side-mounted Touch ID provided by Luxshare ICT, with no Face ID hardware on board. If accurate, that decision emphasizes practicality, cost efficiency, and reliability—three pillars that could give Apple an edge as it enters the foldable market with the iPhone 18 era.
