New iPhones might be able to recognize your face

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the iPhone, and it appears Apple has big plans for its next model. It just needs your face.

According to highly reliable Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the iPhone 8 will include sensors to help recognize your face. It will include a primary sensor and an Infrared sensor for "in-the-dark facial recognition," presumably for if the user is somewhere with little light.

Although rival Samsung has this feature in its Galaxy S8 line, the "industry first" for Apple is allowing users to authenticate payments using facial recognition, says the report.

Before dismissing this as another iPhone leak, consider Gurman has a strong reputation for accurately revealing details of the latest iPhone well before it's confirmed by Apple during its annual iPhone event, typically held in September.

Among other key changes anticipated for the iPhone 8: an OLED screen which will cover nearly the entire front of the device, a virtual Home button, an improved processor, and cameras with improved scene and face detection, and better support for augmented reality apps (think stuff like Pokémon Go).

The iPhone 8 will also reportedly introduce inductive charging, so the device can be charged wirelessly, and a "tap to wake" option tap the touchscreen to wake the phone.

Sales of the iPhone are forecast to surge with this being the smartphone's 10th anniversary. However, it hasn't stopped consumers from buying iPhones. During Apple's third quarter, Apple sold 41 million iPhones, up from 40 million sold during the same quarter last year.

Along with the next iPhone, which Apple will likely launch in September, the company is rolling out iOS 11, the latest version of its mobile operating system. It's available for all iPhones going back to the iPhone 5S. Key changes include a revamped App Store and a redesigned Control Center for quickly accessing settings or apps.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.