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Qualcomm's latest under-display fingerprint sensor is 50% faster

Qualcomm at CES 2021 debuted a new under-display fingerprint sensor expected to launch on Android flagships — and possibly an iPhone — in 2021.

The new 3D Sonic Sensor is 50% faster and 77% larger than Qualcomm's previous in-screen fingerprint reader. It measures 8mm x 8mm, compared to the previous generation's 4mm x 9mm.

Qualcomm says it expects the new generation of 3D Sonic Sensor to start appearing in high-end Android flagships as soon as the first half of 2021, The Verge reported on Monday.

The announcement of the new reader comes amid rumors that Apple will bring its Touch ID biometric system back to the iPhone lineup sometime in 2021.

In August 2019, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the 2021 iPhone, possibly the "iPhone 13," could sport both Face ID and Touch ID. He also indicated that Qualcomm would be the likely supplier of the fingerprint reading technology.

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As recently as October 2020, a leaker with a reliable track record said that under-display Touch ID on an iPhone is still on the horizon.

Having both Face ID and Touch ID on an iPhone could offer a number of benefits for users, including more secure dual-authentic requirements and an alternative unlocking process for when a user's face is obscured by a face mask.

Rumors of an iPhone with display-embedded Touch ID first surfaced prior to the release of the iPhone X. While Apple has switched to Face ID on its flagship smartphones, Touch ID is still present on lower-cost iPhone models and iPad devices.

Since the debut of the iPhone X, there has also been a steady stream of patent applications suggesting that Apple is still working on an under-display fingerprint reading technology.



19 Comments

DAalseth 7 Years · 3137 comments

I have a couple year old iPad Pro. The fingerprint reader works half to two thirds of the time. At least once a day it fails enough I have to enter my passcode. That’s not counting when I have water, or dust, or lotion on my hands and it just refuses to recognize my finger at all.  FaceID on my 11 though is just flawless. So sure if they want to put the fingerprint reader under the screen that’s fine. I’m sure some people will jump at it. I’m going to stick to FaceID.

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes
mark fearing 17 Years · 443 comments

DAalseth said:
I have a couple year old iPad Pro. The fingerprint reader works half to two thirds of the time. At least once a day it fails enough I have to enter my passcode. That’s not counting when I have water, or dust, or lotion on my hands and it just refuses to recognize my finger at all.  FaceID on my 11 though is just flawless. So sure if they want to put the fingerprint reader under the screen that’s fine. I’m sure some people will jump at it. I’m going to stick to FaceID.

I agree. I don't quite understand why anyone would want Touch ID at this point. Face ID will only get better. And I would guess it'll be on the iMac soon enough too. It seems really silly to be investing in touch ID phone tech at this point. WHat's next, floppy disks for 'small file, portable storage.'?

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chadbag 14 Years · 2029 comments

I would like TouchID on my phone.  FaceID is great but too often I have to open my phone with the dang mask on and I end up having to put the passcode in. And also I pick up the phone in the morning off my nightstand and it misreads my face and won’t show me the notifications.  I have to put the phone back to sleep (screen sleep by pushing the power button on the side) and then wake it back up.  Having TouchID as a backup would be great.  

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes
cloudguy 5 Years · 323 comments

DAalseth said:
I have a couple year old iPad Pro. The fingerprint reader works half to two thirds of the time. At least once a day it fails enough I have to enter my passcode. That’s not counting when I have water, or dust, or lotion on my hands and it just refuses to recognize my finger at all.  FaceID on my 11 though is just flawless. So sure if they want to put the fingerprint reader under the screen that’s fine. I’m sure some people will jump at it. I’m going to stick to FaceID.
I agree. I don't quite understand why anyone would want Touch ID at this point. Face ID will only get better. And I would guess it'll be on the iMac soon enough too. It seems really silly to be investing in touch ID phone tech at this point. WHat's next, floppy disks for 'small file, portable storage.'?

Apple doesn't use Qualcomm tech for TouchID. I should point out that my under-the-screen fingerprint scanner on my Samsung Galaxy Note S20 Ultra works fine. Great even. Fast and accurate. 

KTR 5 Years · 280 comments

Qualcomm at CES 2021 debuted a new under-display fingerprint sensor expected to launch on Android flagships -- and possibly an iPhone -- in 2021.

Credit: Qualcomm
Credit: Qualcomm


The new 3D Sonic Sensor is 50% faster and 77% larger than Qualcomm's previous in-screen fingerprint reader. It measures 8mm x 8mm, compared to the previous generation's 4mm x 9mm.

Qualcomm says it expects the new generation of 3D Sonic Sensor to start appearing in high-end Android flagships as soon as the first half of 2021, The Verge reported on Monday.

The announcement of the new reader comes amid rumors that Apple will bring its Touch ID biometric system back to the iPhone lineup sometime in 2021.

In August 2019, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the 2021 iPhone, possibly the "iPhone 13," could sport both Face ID and Touch ID. He also indicated that Qualcomm would be the likely supplier of the fingerprint reading technology.

As recently as October 2020, a leaker with a reliable track record said that under-display Touch ID on an iPhone is still on the horizon.

Having both Face ID and Touch ID on an iPhone could offer a number of benefits for users, including more secure dual-authentic requirements and an alternative unlocking process for when a user's face is obscured by a face mask.

Rumors of an iPhone with display-embedded Touch ID first surfaced prior to the release of the iPhone X. While Apple has switched to Face ID on its flagship smartphones, Touch ID is still present on lower-cost iPhone models and iPad devices.

Since the debut of the iPhone X, there has also been a steady stream of patent applications suggesting that Apple is still working on an under-display fingerprint reading technology.

I think they should combine both technologies, and invent something new and give it a different name.  Just my opinion

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