Update: Another rumor claims that we may see a hefty upgrade to the iPhone 14 Pro model, whether or not there is an iPhone 14 notch. If so, it could have a 48MP main camera lens and 8GB of RAM.

The iPhone 13 has just arrived but we have already heard many rumors about what to expect from the iPhone 14. Unfortunately, the latest rumors have watered things down a bit and have dashed the prospect of two long-awaited upgrades.

A new rumor from Chinese social network Weibo (via MacRumors) claims that not only will Apple keep the notched design on the iPhone 14, but the phone will also not come with Touch ID under the display. Thankfully, it's not all bad news.

The now-deleted post comes from user @PandaIsBald, who claims that it is "unlikely" that Apple will completely replace the notch with a hole-punch cutout. Instead they claim that the iPhone 14 will continue to use the notch.

As MacRumors points out, this leaker has a poor track record, but accurately predicted the iPad 9 would appear at the most recent Apple event.

The post also claims that the iPhone 14 will again skip Touch ID under the display, meaning that Face ID may be the only biometric security available on the iPhone 14. Assuming Apple does not add this feature to the power button, as it did with the iPad Air and iPad mini 6,

the iPhone 13 shrinks the components used in the TrueDepth camera system that Apple uses to drive Face ID and other similar features Thanks in part to this, the notch is 20% smaller than on previous iPhones.

However, we have heard rumors that Apple may finally adopt a hole-punch design for its high-end iPhone in 2022. We have also seen renderings (by leaker Jon Prosser) of what is purported to be the iPhone 14 design.

It is unclear what such a design would mean for Face ID; the True Depth camera is made up of several different sensors after all, and they would have to go somewhere. ZTE is working on an under-display 3D facial recognition system Maybe, but for now we don't know what Apple's future plans are.

It is also possible that Apple will adopt a hybrid strategy, opting for a display cutout for certain components, such as the selfie camera lens, while fitting other components into a notch of some kind. as for the continued absence of Touch ID, that is unfortunate, I am surprised that Apple continues to ignore it. This is assuming what @PandaIsBald said is true.

Touch ID may not be the only way to avoid unlocking a phone with a mask; according to an earlier report by Jon Prosser, Apple is working on making Face ID able to recognize people wearing masks, but it is unclear how far along the development it is not clear how far along the development is.

All we can say about the unverified rumors is that we won't know what is true and what is false until the device is actually announced; we'll just have to wait and see what Apple has in store for us come fall 2022.

However, if this rumor proves to be true, it will be seriously disappointing. Fingerprint scanners under the display are almost commonplace on flagship Android phones, and notches are almost non-existent.

It will be five years in 2022 since Apple adopted the notch on the iPhone X and eliminated Touch ID, and little has changed in that time. Frankly, it's time for Apple to do more for the iPhone display. Because simply shrinking the notch is not enough.