No Fingerprint Sensors
Samsung Electronics will not load its next foldable smartphone models with in-display fingerprint sensors.
The company has considered the adoption of in-display fingerprint recognition technology for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but recently decided not to use it. The two foldable models are scheduled to come out in the third quarter of this year. The company has not used in-display fingerprint sensors for any of its smartphone models yet.
Foreign media outlets and industry insiders predicted that Samsung will put in-display fingerprint sensors in its next foldable models, based on a patent the company has filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The patent documents show a form that can use fingerprint recognition when a device screen is folded or unfolded. When the device is folded, a fingerprint sensor is placed on the center of the bottom and when unfolded, another fingerprint sensor is placed on the left of the bottom. A printed circuit board (PCB) flanked with the two sensor connects them to the main screen. Through this, when a fingerprint is recognized through the outer cover display when the device is folded, biometric authentication can be completed.
However, the fourth-generation foldable models will be unlocked through a fingerprint recognition module integrated with the physical power button on the side of the foldable models when they are in the folded state just like their predecessors.
Samsung Electronics has decided to maintain the existing unlocking method, judging that it is more advantageous in terms of user experience (UX) to unlock foldable devices by having them recognize fingerprints naturally while opening their screens due to their structural characteristics not the limitations of technology, experts say.
Previously, Samsung Electronics made good use of the fact that people can use Samsung Pay services with the Galaxy Z Flip 3’s cover display without the hassle of opening its screen by placing a fingerprint sensor on a side of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 as a marketing point.
Chinese smartphone maker Vivo reportedly applied an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor the main and cover displays of its first foldable smartphone X Fold to be released on April 11.