Flashback: two decades of fingerprint readers on mobile devices

07 August 2022
Following the journey of fingerprint readers as they land on mobile devices and eventually move under their displays.

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I was not much happy with GS10's Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Vivo X80 Pro's Ultrasonic sensor is huge and much better and fastest I have ever used.

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    • blue
    • 0CN
    • 07 Aug 2022

    Grey Wolf, 07 Aug 2022The best under display fingerprint readers are the fastest ... moreThe milisecond differences in reader speed don't matter in the real life.

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      • bliztor
      • xjH
      • 07 Aug 2022

      Ah... Sagem. That's a phone brand I've never heard in a long long time.

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        • Grey Wolf
        • ppq
        • 07 Aug 2022

        Anonymous, 07 Aug 2022In my humble opinion the best under dispay fingerprint read... moreThe best under display fingerprint readers are the fastest ones. And the fastest ones, from my personal experience, were on OnePlus phones. To some extent on Realme phones too (but only some models). Samsung ones are the worst. Xiaomi are so so (depending on the model).
        I don't like side mounted fingerprint reader. Especially when I am using a case (which is 100% of times). Is not easy and comfortable to use them.
        Face ID I totally dislike. No matter how secure it is. Is totally unpractical for me. Is one of the big reasons I don't buy iPhones anymore. Not until Apple will give different options too.

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          • blue
          • 0CN
          • 07 Aug 2022

          vrvly, 07 Aug 2022Face recognition and it's evolution is better, I mean ... moreFace recognition works only when you look straight at the phone. When it is placed sideways (on the table, in the car etc.) it does not work at all.

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            • blue
            • 0CN
            • 07 Aug 2022

            you have to suffer, 07 Aug 2022front mounted reader were easy to access. i think it was re... moreReaders below the display were great in times when the lower chin did not matter. These days I would not want a phone with non-full screen display.

              I'll keep saying it, the SE (2016) is the GOAT iPhone. I'll refuse to buy another iPhone if all they offered only Face ID. I don't care if the next 30 generations of iPhones came with only Face ID. I'll only buy the SE models with the outdated designs.

              I have to input my passcode in what feels like 90% of the time especially in low-light or when I'm laying down. And certain games like Life Is Strange and Forgotton Anne don't play well without a home button. The menus are harder to navigate. They were optimized for homescreens without the gesture swipes. All it does is trigger stuff you don't want to happen like closing the app.

              The iPhone 5S in 2013 nailed Touch ID perfectly after Motorola Atrix showed its potential in 2011. Then Huawei started putting them in the rear and it made a lot of sense. I don't mind front, rear, side, or in-display. I prefer any fingerprint unlock than face unlock. It's much easier to unlock it without looking.

                Face recognition and it's evolution is better, I mean it's possible to use anywhere with just a camera/s without contact, from far away, way faster.
                It could bring up quality with retina etc, voice and some intelligent features, it could be used without need to do any special movement, how fast it is would only depend on camera and other specs.
                Apple actually hit the black with that and tho I got fps, the need to put my thumb on screen aside, it's not always working.

                  PleaseNo, 07 Aug 2022I still prefer side mounted... At this day, still the same. It's more convenient to have in inside the power button or on the back, so when you take the phone, you can just left the thumb on it and it unlock ... Or better, an Iris scanner like on the S8/Note8/S9/Note9! Such a shame that Samsung ditch the iris scanner. Worked flawlessly even at night, with prescription glasses in front of my eyes!

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                    • Anonymous
                    • s7r
                    • 07 Aug 2022

                    you have to suffer, 07 Aug 2022well how optical is better than ultrasonic?? i heard that u... moreOptical is supposed to be less secure - easier to fool - but they are faster to unlock, whereas ultrasonic are harder to fool but are a little slower to unlock.

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                      • Anonymous
                      • Lkg
                      • 07 Aug 2022

                      Sharp has used this same like vivo since early 2021

                        Forgot to mention how Fujitsu was a pioneer in putting fingerprint sensors throughout the 2000s on their Japan only phones

                          Those who don't know, physical capacitive sensors are is more newer and secure technology than optical scanner which only captures a 2D image

                            MihaiRo, 07 Aug 2022Face ID or side mounted fingerprint are the BEST!Speaking a... morewell how optical is better than ultrasonic?? i heard that ultrasonic is better than optical but sometimes the optical is better

                              blue, 07 Aug 2022Under-display sensors are most favored, because they are ea... morefront mounted reader were easy to access. i think it was replaced by under display since most phones nowadays have no physical buttons on front. only screen is left.

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                                • Anonymous
                                • d%E
                                • 07 Aug 2022

                                Front capacitive fingerprint is simply the best.

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                                  • blue
                                  • 0CN
                                  • 07 Aug 2022

                                  dbjungle, 07 Aug 2022Under-Display sensors suck. They are slower, less accurate... moreUnder-display sensors are most favored, because they are easily accessible. By far the worst position is on the rear side, I never used that on Sony XA2. Side mounted is better, but in some situations still worse to touch. Front is the best.

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                                    • Anonymous
                                    • K8x
                                    • 07 Aug 2022

                                    My iPhone 5s is still working well. Some water stained a small part of the screen a few months ago, but everything else is in good order. The only problem is that it still has its original battery and I can only do browsing for about 2 hours which is remarkable if you consider how old it is. I remember setting up the Touch ID while I was walking out of the mall the day I bought it back in 2013.

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                                      • Anonymous
                                      • nin
                                      • 07 Aug 2022

                                      In my humble opinion the best under dispay fingerprint reader up to date is on Vivo X80 Pro. 👍

                                        Let's not forget, the most popular phone with fingerprint sensor and cheap price the Redmi Note 3 from 2015... I think no other phone back in the day have it.

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