At least one model of the iPhone 12 may feature an under-display fingerprint scanner using ultrasonic technology.

A first for Apple, this would give Apple a new weapon against the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and make your life more convenient.

There have been rumors for and against Touch ID under the screen ahead of the iPhone 12 launch this fall, but according to an Economic Daily News report, Qualcomm, touch panel maker GIS, and OLED display maker BOE are working together on the technology The report said.

The addition of an under-display fingerprint sensor would certainly be welcome, as Face ID has difficulty recognizing faces when wearing masks. And it is very likely that people will wear masks in public, if not later in the fall.

An Economic Daily News report (first spotted by MacRumors) states that new features like under-screen fingerprint recognition "will prompt a new wave of buying momentum." It also states that Qualcomm and GIS are the main suppliers of the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, and if "Apple wants to catch up," it is likely to work with these two companies.

The Galaxy Note 20 will likely use the same ultrasonic reader as last year's Galaxy Note 10 and this year's Galaxy S20. We are not aware of any significant advancements in this technology, but there may be some improvements when the Note 20 goes on sale in July or August.

Apple is already working with Qualcomm on a 5G modem for the iPhone 12, and it is not unreasonable to think that the two companies are partnering on another feature for the flagship phone.

Just last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said not to expect this year's iPhone 12 to feature under-screen fingerprint recognition technology. However, according to another rumor from a reliable leaker on Twitter, Apple will include an under-screen fingerprint reader in the iPad Air later this year. So there are conflicting views on when Apple will adopt the technology and in which devices.

The iPad Pro 2020 is the first device in Apple's lineup to feature the LiDAR sensor, which dramatically improves the performance of iPhone augmented reality applications. And the same sensor is expected to be included in the iPhone 12, or at least the iPhone 12 Pro model.

In general, we have found the fingerprint sensor under the screen to be sensitive, as it sometimes experiences false negatives. This happens if the finger is placed on the sensor too soon or does not hit the sensor properly; Face ID does not have this problem.

However, I can see why Apple would want to bring Touch ID back to the iPhone, even if not in time for the iPhone 12.

Overall, iPhone 12 rumors point to four models in Apple's lineup, including the 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch iPhone 12, and the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro. All four models are expected to feature 5G technology and Apple's new faster A14 Bionic chip, but only the iPhone 12 Pro device will continue to offer a telephoto lens and will likely feature a new LiDAR sensor.