[JustSomeNobody]

No. Often my phone is on a desk. So with Touch ID I can walk back into the room, lay my finger on the phone and it wakes and shows me if I have any messages. I don’t have to pick it up, move it, stare directly at it or anything.

I get that most people don’t work this way but for me it’s great.

[macintux]

Disclaimer: mine hasn't arrived yet, but you should be able to walk into the room, tap the phone, and it will unlock but leave you at the lock screen to see your notifications.

You don't have to be facing it directly, you don't have to lift to wake it.

[macintux]

Welp, apparently you do have to lean over it, per reports. A shame.