AppleInsider and MacRumors both report that developers examining the iOS 27 beta have found code strings that appear to link an iPhone Ultra configuration with Touch ID. AppleInsider frames the discovery as evidence that the device will rely on Touch ID rather than Face ID, aligning with the broader expectation that a thinner iPhone Ultra chassis would be unsuitable for Face ID hardware.
MacRumors says the finding may not be definitive. It attributes the “confirmation” claim to an iOS 27 beta code examiner (“pdfu”) who pointed to Car Key-related strings connecting Ultra Wideband and Touch ID. However, MacRumors notes that iOS code often includes Touch ID references that are not tied to specific current hardware, and legacy terms can persist in the codebase for years—even after products change. As a result, while Touch ID remains a strong expectation, the referenced code is presented as suggestive rather than conclusive.
Both outlets agree the discussion is based on beta code interpretation, not on an official Apple specification, and emphasize that the inference depends on how the strings are used within Apple’s system.
