Ever since the iPhone X was announced, it has been subjected to many rumors, leaks, discussions, reviews, and reports. However, the handset stole the headlines mainly on account of its hi-tech features like an OLED screen and Face ID.
In iPhone X, Apple has replaced its Touch ID fingerprint scanner with Face ID, a facial recognition system which uses the TrueDepth camera system on the top of the display to unlock the device. It scans your face to check that it’s actually the phone owner who is trying to unlock the device.
The problem, however, is that Apple’s Face ID technology is very optimistic, and the components used to build the device’s facial-recognition sensor are so complex that it’s been nearly impossible to mass-produce. That’s now, a report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple has been willing to compromise on Face ID accuracy to make sure iPhone X handsets hit store shelves on time (i.e., November 3).
Citing sources close to people familiar with the situation, the report from Bloomberg claims that Apple had “quietly told its suppliers that they could reduce the accuracy of the face-recognition technology in iPhone X to make it easier to manufacture.” The report does not specify whether Apple relaxed its requirements before or after it announced its Face ID at a press conference on September 12.
However, Apple claims Bloomberg’s accusation of relaxing accuracy on iPhone X Face ID is false.
“Bloomberg’s claim that Apple has reduced the accuracy spec for Face ID is completely false. The quality and accuracy of Face ID haven’t changed and we expect Face ID to be the new gold standard for facial authentication. It continues to be 1 in a million probability of a random person unlocking your iPhone with Face ID,” the company said in a statement.
Rumors of iPhone X production challenges have been doing the rounds for months. Whether or not this rumor has any weight only time will tell. In its statement, Apple said it expects the iPhone X to go on sale as planned on Nov. 3 with the Face ID feature.
