Buzz
Initially, only a few high-end smartphones featured under-display fingerprint sensors. However, they are now appearing on mid-range devices. So, what exactly is an under-display fingerprint sensor?
What Is an Under-Display Fingerprint Sensor?
An under-display fingerprint sensor is a new technology that replaces the traditional capacitive fingerprint sensor (usually located on the back or home button of the device).
This new technology comes in two types: optical sensors that recognize fingerprints using light or ultrasonic sensors based on sound waves (higher-end than optical).
These sensors are integrated directly under the display, underneath the glass, or right inside the display.
Pros and Cons of the New Fingerprint Sensor
Advantages:
- Enhances aesthetic appeal by eliminating visible fingerprints on the device design.
- Elevates technology to a new level, meeting the ever-changing needs of users.
- Capable of recognizing fingerprints when wet, dry, etc.
- Offers higher security, greater authentication accuracy, and safety compared to traditional fingerprint methods.
Drawbacks:
- It can be challenging for new users to locate the sensor area on a large screen (compared to traditional fingerprint sensors).
- Unlocking speed may be slower.
- The high cost makes it less widespread.
- Currently undergoing upgrades for further refinement.
Classification and Operation Principles of Under-Screen Fingerprint Sensors
There are currently two common types of under-screen fingerprint sensors: Optical (also known as Clear ID) and Ultrasonic.
Optical fingerprint sensor: Captures 2D images of fingerprints and stores them on the device. When used, the screen illuminates the fingerprint, and a small camera underneath captures and compares the scanned fingerprint with the stored one for recognition and unlocking.
This method requires brightening the screen for capturing images, making it slightly more challenging to use at night.
Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor: utilizes sound wave frequencies to detect details on the user's fingerprint. This sensor consists of a transmitter and a receiver.
When scanning a fingerprint, some pressure pulses are received, some are reflected back to the sensor including ridge lines, pores, and other details to distinguish the uniqueness of each fingerprint.
Compared to optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors have faster recognition speed, higher security, and can be used even when the hands are wet. Therefore, the cost of ultrasonic sensors is also much higher.
Which smartphone models support under-display fingerprint technology?
As mentioned earlier, due to the high production cost, currently only expensive smartphone models can possess this technology.
With the lower cost of optical fingerprint sensors, this technology is widely applied in mid-range smartphone models such as OPPO, Vivo, Huawei, Xiaomi, and the new Samsung A series.
As for high-end ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, they are only found on premium or flagship smartphone models like Samsung S and Samsung Note series.
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