“Convex home button creates space for fingerprint sensor; yield to improve. We think that a fingerprint sensor will be placed under the home button of iPhone 5S. However, assembling it could be difficult as the space under home button is limited as it already has to accommodate the Lightning connector, speaker and microphone. Thus, we think the shape of the home button could be changed from concave to convex to create more space for a fingerprint sensor.Sapphire prevents home button from being scratched. A convex home button could be more easily scratched, so a harder material is required. We believe Apple will switch from plastic to sapphire, whose hardness is second only to diamond. Sapphire would protect the home button from being scratched and the fingerprint sensor from being damaged.â€
Kuo goes on to say that Apple will utilize RF and capacitive technology from AuthenTec for its fingerprint sensor, rather than the common optical recognition used in others. This will give them an advantage over the competition, as it’s less susceptible to damage.
Back in May, we’ve heard a lot of reports from different sources quoting Apple supply chain sources calling for a sapphire crystal Home button in the iPhone 5S. We were skeptical at the time, as the site had no previous track record, but obviously Kuo’s note adds weight to the story.
In addition to the sensor, the iPhone 5S is also expected to feature a faster processor (perhaps of the A7 variety), and an improved camera with a dual-LED flash. It’s believed that Tim Cook and company will unveil the new handset at an event on Tuesday, September 10.
