Apple may be bringing Touch ID back to a flagship iPhone for the first time since iPhone X introduced Face ID in 2017. But this isn’t the Home button resurrection you might expect.
According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone will skip Face ID entirely in favor of Touch ID integrated into the side button – similar to the design found on current iPad Air and iPad mini models. The choice appears driven by space constraints rather than fingerprint sensor nostalgia.
Expected in 2026, the foldable device will reportedly feature a book-style design with a 5.5-inch outer display and a larger 7.8-inch inner screen when unfolded. Apple is targeting a remarkably thin 4.5 to 4.8mm profile when opened, which explains the need to eliminate Face ID’s bulky sensor array.
Other rumored features include a titanium chassis with liquid metal hinges, dual 48-megapixel rear cameras, and high-density battery cells for improved power efficiency. The device will reportedly be virtually crease-free thanks to a special metal plate that disperses bending stress.
Touch ID side button integration in the iPad Air
Mass production is planned for the second half of 2026, with pricing expected between $1,800 and $2,500 – potentially making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever.
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, released alongside the iPhone X, were the last flagship iPhone models to feature Touch ID, while the third-generation iPhone SE was the last of any iPhone model to include Touch ID, and it was discontinued in February 2025.
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