iPad What is the technical limitation why the iPad 10 uses Touch ID instead of Face ID?

[MitzEclipse]

after a few nights with the iPad 10, I’m already annoyed using Touch ID instead of Face ID. Is there some sort of technical limitation why Apple chose to use Touch ID instead?
Curious if there is any chance of enabling this in future via a software update?

 

[throAU]

the camera doesn’t have the required tech in it. pretty sure it needs additional sensors. can’t remember if it is IR or something else. either way. missing hardware.

 

[GMShadow]

after a few nights with the iPad 10, I’m already annoyed using Touch ID instead of Face ID. Is there some sort of technical limitation why Apple chose to use Touch ID instead?
Curious if there is any chance of enabling this in future via a software update?

TouchID is for lower cost devices in Apple's hierarchy.

It doesn't have the sensors to do it, so no, a software update won't enable it.

 

[MitzEclipse]

Shame to skimp out on something like this…learned something new. iPhone is base mode and has Face ID. I guess there is an iPhone SE which only uses Touch ID. But there is no iPad SE. Another confusing part of Apple’s line up and naming conventions.

 

[chrfr]

Shame to skimp out on something like this…learned something new. iPhone is base mode and has Face ID. I guess there is an iPhone SE which only uses Touch ID. But there is no iPad SE. Another confusing part of Apple’s line up and naming conventions.

Only the iPad Pro models have Face ID- even the Air uses Touch ID.

 

[ericwn]

Shame to skimp out on something like this…learned something new. iPhone is base mode and has Face ID. I guess there is an iPhone SE which only uses Touch ID. But there is no iPad SE. Another confusing part of Apple’s line up and naming conventions.

Luckily the features are fully laid out on the web site plus there is a generous two weeks to test the devices not to forget the extended return periods etc plus the additional free information like reviews etc. All it takes is doing my due diligence when making a purchase decision.

 

[Shirasaki]

The decision is all about cost. Those Face ID modules are not cheap. If you ever notice iPhone lineup, even iPhone 13 starts from $599. iPad 10th gen? $449 starting price. That’s $150 difference right here.
Obviously I am talking About Apple price and discounts can be found elsewhere, but you get the gist.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Shame to skimp out on something like this…learned something new. iPhone is base mode and has Face ID. I guess there is an iPhone SE which only uses Touch ID. But there is no iPad SE. Another confusing part of Apple’s line up and naming conventions.

iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro. I dont believe that that is particularly confusing.

 

[throAU]

Shame to skimp out on something like this…learned something new. iPhone is base mode and has Face ID. I guess there is an iPhone SE which only uses Touch ID. But there is no iPad SE. Another confusing part of Apple’s line up and naming conventions.

iphone se has no face id.

the iphones aren’t “base model” the tech in them is higher tier than they put in ipad and Macs mostly. the macbook pros are still touchID

 

[MBAir2010]

after a few nights with the iPad 10, I’m already annoyed using Touch ID instead of Face ID.

our iPad 10 has Face ID?

 

[Abazigal]

after a few nights with the iPad 10, I’m already annoyed using Touch ID instead of Face ID. Is there some sort of technical limitation why Apple chose to use Touch ID instead?
Curious if there is any chance of enabling this in future via a software update?

My guess is that it's cost related. In that it's cheaper to include a fingerprint sensor over facial recognition.

 

[ericwn]

our iPad 10 has Face ID?

That is quite amazing because officially https://www.apple.com/ipad-10.9/specs/ that is not the case. May I suggest you check a second time what kind of device you are referring to?

 

[chrfr]

our iPad 10 has Face ID?

It definitely does not. If you have an iPad that has Face ID, it's an iPad Pro.

 

[MBAir2010]

It definitely does not. If you have an iPad that has Face ID, it's an iPad Pro.

I know, the first comment prompted me to ask maybe something new in iOS17.

personally the Face ID works on the iPhone since that is away or stored, then used
while the iPad is right there and a quick touch from a finger activates that in a second.

 

[ericwn]

I know, the first comment prompted me to ask maybe something new in iOS17.

personally the Face ID works on the iPhone since that is away or stored, then used
while the iPad is right there and a quick touch from a finger activates that in a second.

Face ID is not a software feature. I encourage you to look it up prior to making any further claims.

 

[Alex Cai]

there's no technical limitation, it's Tim Cook's limitation!!!🤣
Apple have the ability to R&D and make a solution but Tim doesn't allow them to do it.

 

[ericwn]

there's no technical limitation, it's Tim Cook's limitation!!!
Apple have the ability to R&D and make a solution but Tim doesn't allow them to do it.

I am not so sure that he reviews every product feature in great detail. What Tim does probably not allow “them” as in his staff is to come up with products that don’t return profit. That’s how they got their finances in order back when Jobs brought Cook in as his right hand, amongst other things of course.

 

[klasma]

I, on the other hand, wonder what is the technical limitation why Apple’s Face ID devices don’t also offer Touch ID.

 

[ericwn]

I, on the other hand, wonder what is the technical limitation why Apple’s Face ID devices don’t also offer Touch ID.

Why would you assume that is a technical limitation? My guess is they want to offer one convenient way of unlocking the device to keep things simple. Their marketing will also very likely position Face ID as better than Touch ID to increase update rates.

 

[Timpetus]

Face ID is great, and I do hope it comes to more Apple devices, but the components are more complicated and expensive than a simple camera. Would you be willing to spend an extra $100 to get Face ID in your basic iPad?

I also agree that it'd be cool if you could get Touch ID in the lock/power button on all devices, whether or not they have Face ID. Heck, give me the option to require both before unlocking, for those who need maximum security!

 

[sparksd]

Why would you assume that is a technical limitation? My guess is they want to offer one convenient way of unlocking the device to keep things simple. Their marketing will also very likely position Face ID as better than Touch ID to increase update rates.

Exactly. The teams are likely constrained by Designed-to-Cost, a fairly standard cost management technique.

 

[JamesMay82]

I prefer Touch ID over face because you can unlock while half your face is buried in a pillow!

 

[bniu]

iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro. I dont believe that that is particularly confusing.

If I were naming the lines, I’d adjust them like this:

iPad -> iPad SE
iPad mini merged with iPad Air, simply have 8.3 and 10.9 sizes
iPad Pro - same as before

iPhone SE stays as is
iPhone -> iPhone Air (Plus branding eliminated, simply have just 6.1 and 6.7 sizes)
iPhone Pro (eliminate Pro Max branding, simply just call it 6.3 and 6.9)

Watch SE stays as is
Watch aluminum -> Watch Air
Watch steel -> Watch Pro
Watch Ultra stays as is

MacBooks stay as Air and Pro

This leaves Ultra branding for an even more hardcore iPad and iPhone.

When Vision comes out, Vision Pro. Lower cost lightweight version, Vision Air. Even more souped up version, Vision Ultra. Then a ultra basic Vision, Vision SE.

Easy suffixes to denote the tiers: SE -> Air -> Pro -> Ultra

This way, all Apple mobile devices will use the same aligned branding.

Desktops will be another story for another day.

 

[darngooddesign]

…

 

[BotchQue]

I got my iPhone SE.2 right before Covid, and I was glad to have Touch ID while wearing a mask (and yes I know Face ID was modded to look more at the eyes, soon after). It didn’t bother me.
I’m also old enough to remember having to start Dad’s Allis-Chalmers with the crank at the front of the tractor, because the battery was too weak when eastern South Dakota hit -10º F. To read all these “Eww-eww-I-don’t-wanna-have-to-touch-a-button” posts, OMGWTFBBQ.

And Get Off my lawn, dammit!