When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world last year, the limitations of Apple’s FaceID system for people wearing masks became very apparent. The company is reportedly testing a new FaceID system that will be capable of biometric authentication even if the user is wearing a mask or has foggy glasses.
To test the hardware, Apple has reportedly developed a case that fits around iPhone 13 and contains the new sensors in an array on top, which can be seen in these renders. The FaceID array on this prototype case appears to be narrower and the camera in particular can be found on the left of the array.
The case supposedly allows testers to bypass the existing FaceID hardware in the iPhone and use the camera sensors on the case instead for authentication.
The employees testing the new hardware are reportedly asked to wear masks and glasses during the test, which suggests that the array is capable of authenticating and unlocking an iPhone without the aid of an Apple Watch. They are also asked to test in a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions.