Future iPhones will have an in-screen fingerprint reader like Samsung's latest Galaxy smartphones, according to a new report.
The technology will allow users to unlock their phones simply by placing their finger on a large portion of the display.
In-screen Touch ID would work in tandem with the existing Face ID system, people familiar with Apple's plans told Bloomberg.
The technology is reportedly in testing both inside Apple and among the company's overseas suppliers.
However, it won't be included in the iPhone 11, which is expected to be released next week.
Bloomberg reports that Apple is considering including the in-screen touch sensor in the 2020 iPhone model if testing is successful.
However, while suppliers have proven their ability to integrate the technology into iPhones, the company has not managed to mass-produce it yet.
As a result, we may have to wait until 2021 for in-screen Touch ID to make its debut on the iPhone.
Apple pioneered the use of fingerprint scanning to verify identity with the launch of Touch ID on the iPhone in 2013.
The fingerprint reader was built into the device's Home button, and could be used to unlock the device, approve payments and authorise app downloads.
Touch ID was replaced with a new face-scanning technology called Face ID in 2017, with the iPhone X launch.
However, many of Apple's rivals, including Samsung and Huawei, went a different route, opting for in-display fingerprint readers instead.
