14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is preparing to announce one of the most exciting iPhones in quite a while, as it will feature a complete redesign, OLED display and even wireless charging. Because of the new features, the price of the iPhone 8 is said to reach about $1,000.
However, a recent report claims that the price of a certain component could be much higher than Apple expected and it could drive the iPhone 8 retail price even higher. Specifically, TPK Holdings charges Apple between $18 and $22 for the new Touch ID.
The price of 3D Touch ID on current iPhone models is between $7 and $9 per smartphone, while the new technology seems to cost more than double. But there’s a major difference between the 3D Touch ID on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and the new technology on the iPhone 8.
The manufacturing process of the new 3D Touch ID is different
Apparently, the manufacturing process of incorporating a Touch ID into the OLED display is different, and rumors say that the fingerprint sensor will be embedded between two glass panels, the actual screen and the sensor film. This is quite different from TFT screens, which allows sensors to the bonded directly to the display panel.
The 3D Touch technology on the iPhone 7 and earlier smartphones requires capacitive sensors to be integrated with the iPhone’s display backlight in order to measure the distance between the phone’s flexible cover glass and the sensor array. The results are then transformed into force data, while location data is provided by the touch sensing technology. Presumably, the higher production cost of Apple’s new 3D Touch ID technology could also mean that the sensor would be embedded into the screen, but there’s no clear confirmation of that yet.
Aside from the new 3D Touch ID, the iPhone 8 is expected to feature an edge-to-edge OLED display with 5.1-inch user space, together with virtual buttons and a larger battery. It will also have a new 3D facial scanner and a 2.5D curved glass back with wireless charging. The iPhone 8 will be announced together with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, also said to come with wireless charging.