iPhone 8 rumored specs include 'facial recognition technology' that replaces the usual fingerprint-based system

With January already dwindling down to its last week, Apple has at most only seven months to determine the specifics for its supposed iPhone 8. That is if the company continues to follow its end-of-summer release pattern for its top-shelf smartphones. That being said, while the clock is ticking, more and more rumors are making their way online to keep fans guessing and hyped for what the next Apple phone will bring to the tech table.

Recently, the rumors regarding what could be an elaborate facial-recognition process for the iPhone 8 has been the crux of conversations regarding the device. According to the tip, the new biometric identification technology will be able to sense emotional states of the phone user which is a pretty big step-up from the same feature that Android has been using. This claim is further delved into by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who has a good history of dissecting possible specs for upcoming devices from the company. In a write-up picked up by Mac Rumors, while the Cupertino-based group is indeed looking at incorporating the facial recognition feat, they are by no means hell-bent on it.

"Judging by the bio-recognition patents that Apple has applied for, we believe it is leaning toward facial recognition technology rather than iris recognition. However, we note that the technical challenges of facial recognition include: (1) algorithms; (2) hardware design; and (3) the build-out of a database for verification and authentication, which could be time consuming. As such, before Apple can fully replace the fingerprint system with facial recognition, a combination of the two steps of bio-recognition could be a valid solution for enhancing transactions security," Kuo wrote. Should this be the case, even the half-half in technological advancement in terms of personalization of the gadget will be a welcomed feature. This could also jumpstart what could be the fully functional facial biometrics for future Apple releases.

It is no secret that there are a lot of expectations from the iPhone 8 given that it is the 10th-anniversary model of the famed Apple flagship. For months now, radical changes have been speculated about the device including an edge-to-edge screen, embedded Home button as well as advanced wireless charging. However, at this point, with a slew of possibilities, it is still difficult to determine which ones will eventually be fleshed out and which ones will not.