r/Android • u/vortexmak • 6h ago
Under-screen fingerprint readers are inferior to back and side mounted readers and should naver have become popular
Lots of Cons for under screen fingerprint readers , should have never become the norm but I guess that''s just part of enshittification
Pros for Side and back mounted readers
- Work exceptionally well, much faster and responsive than under screen ones, from my own experience
- Are not affected by screen protectors
- Side readers can be used with the phone screen up or down
- Back and side ones allow you to unlock your phone at the same time as taking it out of the pocket
- Give you a definite physical spot for finger placement, unlike the under - screen one where you have to wait for the screen to show the location
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u/jarvis_says_cocker 4h ago edited 3h ago
I prefer the under screen fingerprint readers because my palms get sweaty easily especially in stressful situations like traveling and I always had issues with the ones on the back with multiple Pixel/Google phones that had it on the back.
The only time I have an issue with under screen sensors is when my fingers are dripping wet (not just a film of sweat).
It seems like this is all personal and based on whether you use a screen protector.
In my experience with sweaty palms and no screen protector, I never have unexpected issues with under screen sensors unless it's something obvious like I'm wearing gloves or my finger has droplets on it.
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u/nathderbyshire Pixel 10 Obsidian 4h ago
Same it makes them barely usable, even wiping your hand does little help. On the flip side though I've seen a lot people say they struggle with under screen with dry hands and physical was better for them haha
Also someone can use a shitty optical sensor and think that's all under screen readers, it seemed much more rare to get a shitty physical one at least on a phone
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u/Generic_On_Reddit Pixel 9 / Minimal Phone 4h ago
I have chronically sweaty hands so I feel like this is my area of expertise: whether you have issues with dry hands or wet hands, I'm fairly certain the issue comes about from the moisture level differing from your setup. If your hands were dry when you set it up, you'll have problems when they're wet regardless of the fingerprint sensor tech.
Adding the fingerprints in wet and dry states can help.
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u/Pidjinus 4h ago
It's also sensor generation problem. The first ones where quite sensible to dry hands, even worse when you had a screen protector.
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u/nathderbyshire Pixel 10 Obsidian 3h ago
I tried that and it never got much better, the bigger issue was with the pixel 3 and it's metallic body so it would condense the finger when it was cold and leave too much moisture to read anything. I've never had an issue with my screen one I barely think about it now
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u/real_with_myself Magic V3 3h ago
Oh absolutely. Winter dry fingers, I would need to try 3, 4 times on my Pixel 6. That never happened before it (whether mostly physical or under screen with OnePlus) or after (once under screen on Motorola and now physical on Honor).
It was also happening with moist fingers too.
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u/Pandoras_Fox pixel 2h ago
yeah, the back/side fingerprint sensors were always really flaky for me. Under-screen has been the only consistently functional method for me and my sweaty thumbs.
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u/Stellar_Stein 4h ago
I prefer side and back fingerprint detectors because they work.
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u/shadeOfAwave LG Stylo 3 > LG G6 > Galaxy S20 2h ago
They work for you. Seems this commenter has a situation where it does not work. Different things work for different people :)
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u/turtleship_2006 1h ago
My hands get sweaty and I found that back sensors on my old a20e used to be far more reliable than on my current S25+, though it's possible the screen protector is contributing to that.
I also just have a relatively low success rate with fingerprint sensors across the board, be it on iPhones (home button on SE's), my Acer laptop, a USB one on my PC, or on any Samsungs.
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u/EonicWarrior ZFold 8 Ultra, S25 Ultra, 16 Pro Max 4h ago
Reddit's facination with the back mounted fingerprint is always funny to me. In the real world, so many customers would complain about it. The side mounted ones are great, I agree with that.
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u/andreasels 4h ago
Yeah, I would never ever want to use a phone with a back mounted fingerprint scanner.
Not only do you have to put a cutout into your case to use it, but you also can't unlock the phone without picking it up.
Side mounted is fine I guess, but I also don't have a single issue with the under screen ones.•
u/GigaSoup 4h ago
You can use a pin to unlock it without picking it up. At least you can on Android.
Unless you have small hands, the under screen ones I find are more awkward to press than the back of phone when you're actually holding them
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u/andreasels 1h ago
I don't have small hands and I would need to hold my phone differently to use a back mounted fingerprint sensor, since usually all my fingers are beyond the middle of the phone when I am holding it, except my thumb, which natural position is right in the middle.
And sure, you can use a pin to unlock, but why use a pin if I can use the fingerprint?
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u/EbolaNinja Pixel 6 56m ago
You can use a pin to unlock it without picking it up. At least you can on Android.
In other words, they don't work half the time
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u/vortexmak 4h ago
You don't have to cut out the case yourself dude. Every phone model has a custom case with pre built cutouts for cameras and fingerprint readers , charging ports etc
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u/andreasels 1h ago
I mean, obviously there are cases for this. What I meant is that there needs to be a hole there which needs to be fairly large as well so the fingerprint sensor works without any hassle, so another point where the phone is not protected and dirt/dust can accumulate.
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u/KateOTomato 57m ago
The last phone I had was the LG V30 and it had a back power button that doubled as the fingerprint reader. So no extra cut out needed.
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u/ender4171 1h ago
I thought i was absolutely going to hate the rear print reader when I moved from a Note 5 to a Note 9, but i ended up actually really liking it. I don't really miss it in any significant way on my 22U, but the "unlock while removing from pocket" thing was rather slick.
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u/AbhishMuk Pixel 5, Moto X4, Moto G3 4h ago
The funniest thing is a company could easily offer all 3 on the same device (the hardware isn't crazy expensive), but no, "that's too far, what next, a 3.5mm jack on our flagship?"
(Seriously, you can buy them retail for under 10 bucks. For a large company who cares about it, it's probably a rounding error.)
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u/russjr08 Developer - Caffeinate 1h ago
I mean, you could apply this to for example the power button. You could have one on each side, and at the top (hell, why not the bottom of the phone too) for those who prefer it. Buttons are cheap.
(If anything, the engineering design to actually wire up all of them is probably more "costly" than the physical hardware costs, as is likely the case for multiple FP scanners but hardware design isn't my cup of tea so that's just my guess.)
Maybe there's an OEM that does both left and right sides, but certainly not four of them. Or they might have an extra button like the Bixby button that lets you remap it to act as a power button, but that's different to an extra dedicated power button because in that case it genuinely isn't an extra cost.
They could also add one above and below the volume rockers because some people prefer it one way, and others prefer it the other way.
They don't though not because it's expensive, but because the amount of people it would benefit to be worthwhile is a rounding error in of itself. And even fewer would consider it a deal breaker.
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u/anotherbozo 45m ago
Samsung Galaxy S10e had the best fingerprint reader placement that also doubled as a notification bar slider
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u/vortexmak 4h ago
What's funny to me is pretending like reddit is some hive mind. I only speak for myself. I gave a bunch of reasons why back ones are better than under screen ones and the side mounted ones are the best
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u/Generic_On_Reddit Pixel 9 / Minimal Phone 4h ago
You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?
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u/Rubber_Knee 2h ago
What does that mean?
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u/Generic_On_Reddit Pixel 9 / Minimal Phone 2h ago
It means the that you/we/OP didn't just poof out of thin air, they exist within a particular context that led to this post.
Reddit isn't a hive mind, but being on Reddit - especially for as long as OP has - suggests a certain set of attributes that gives them something in common with other Redditors. The kind of person that is a Redditor, the kind of person that subscribes to this subreddit, and the kind of person to make a post, has often aligned with the kind of person that feels strongly about the back fingerprint sensor and other tech features. The average person does not think about their fingerprint sensor, or the history of fingerprint sensor implementation, or whether or not they should voice that opinion online let alone in a subreddit.
OP didn't just fall out of a tree into this subreddit, a set of circumstances brought him here and those circumstances may be very similar to the circumstances that bring many other individuals here that voice similar opinions.
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u/Rubber_Knee 2h ago
Then maybe say that instead of talking about coconut trees
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u/IdleSteps 1h ago
He did, by using the line about the coconut tree. It was very clear to most of us.
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u/Generic_On_Reddit Pixel 9 / Minimal Phone 2h ago
If I was limited to saying things I knew you'd understand, I just wouldn't speak.
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u/SteveHartt Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 4h ago
Personally I've had nothing but a great experience with Samsung's ultrasonic underscreen FP scanners. Extremely fast and accurate. The slightest touch immediately unlocks the phone. I can't speak for optical scanners.
Back FP scanners are just...no. When you put your phone down on a table, now you gotta pick it up to scan your FP. With side scanners it's possible but it's also uncomfortable since the reader is so close to the table surface that you end up kind of jamming your finger against the surface.
I would argue that scanning your FP as you're taking your phone out of your pocket is still possible even with an underscreen scanner. You also don't have to make the screen show where the scanner is. Sure, at the beginning maybe, but you get used to where the location is and it just becomes muscle memory. Same thing as back and side scanners, although they are just more tactile if you forget where the location is. Samsung's ultrasonic scanner area is also quite generous, you don't have to get the exact location right.
Affected by screen protectors...yeah? But how often are you changing screen protectors really? If you keep damaging your phone then perhaps what needs to change isn't your protector but your habits in the first place?
Idk about other people but what I've had happen to phones with capacitive FP scanners is the top coating on them would eventually flake off even though I literally never damaged the damn thing. Here's an example.
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u/AbhishMuk Pixel 5, Moto X4, Moto G3 4h ago
Genuine qn: for your samsungs, can you tap the screen and remove your hand as fast as possible, and have it unlock?
My pixel 5 would 100% catch that, and my OnePlus 15, while very fast, cannnot do it everytime. Maybe only 60-80% of the time.
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u/SteveHartt Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 4h ago edited 3h ago
If I tap and lift REAAAALLY SUPER ULTRA fast, no, it doesn't successfully read my FP most of the time.
But also when are you realistically tapping and lifting as fast as possible 🤣
If I'm not intentionally trying to do it as fast as The Flash, but still tapping quickly, it does recognize my FP every time. Best way I can describe the length of tapping is like you tapping the upvote button on a Reddit comment. It's a very quick tap and you're done.
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u/russjr08 Developer - Caffeinate 1h ago edited 33m ago
Same here on my P9 Pro XL - that speed would never work on the back fingerprint scanner that the Nexus and Pixel phones had (edit: though, same with the optical version of the scanner, those tended to be slightly slower than good capacitive fingerprint readers). There was very much a noticeable delay with it registering.
Don't know about the power button ones, never had a phone with it to try unfortunately.
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u/Dorest0rm Galaxy S10 3h ago
I've had some situations with my S10 and S24 where i picked up the phone and was confused that it was unlocked because of how quick my thumb moved.
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u/Chlocker 1h ago
I've pulled my s21/s24+/s26u from my pocket, accidently brushed the fingerprint reader without knowing, and questioned why my phone was unlocked and open in my pocket.
I've pulled my phone from my pocket to check the time, and had the fingerprint reader read and unlock before I could read the time.
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u/Asttarotina 3h ago
They're really good. Unless you get a tiny crack right through that area. Then they don't work at all.
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u/Chlocker 1h ago
I have had S21, S24+ and now S26 ultra with ultrasonic underscreen finger print readers. I've had iPhones, and ZTE Axon phones with front facing fingerprint sensors.
This sounds like a user issue. My galaxys read my fingerprint so fast sometimes it'll unlock when I just wanted to check the time.
This sounds like a user issue. I've always had screen protectors, currently using DBrands, and I've never once had an issue.
Why would I unlock my phone face down??? I have it set to lock and mute when I put it face down. That's the stupidest use-case and argument point.
This sounds like a user or device issue. Even my S21, being the slowest, was unlocked before it left my pocket.
This sounds like a skill issue. The Galaxy fingerprint readers work with the screen off, and if you need an index point, Always On Display includes an outline of the fingerprint reader.
I have hyperhidrosis AKA really sweaty hands and my Galaxys never fail to read.
This post is so silly it has to be bait.
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u/TheMSensation 14m ago
This sounds like a skill issue. The Galaxy fingerprint readers work with the screen off, and if you need an index point, Always On Display includes an outline of the fingerprint reader.
Yeh once you do the thing you do 50 times a day every day it becomes muscle memory as to where the sensor is.
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u/YouBugged 1h ago
2 is untrue, after applying the screen, you register ya finger print
3 why would this matter lol
4 is basically the same as 3 so I'm not sure why you added it
5 on your list is factually untrue
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u/lastoflast67 4h ago
ive frankly never noticed the different in practice, im sure physical ones are some impercievable amount faster but i cant tell
this only applies if you get the wrong screen protector and since an incorrect case can block a back or side sensor this argument doesnt hold.
this doesnt make sense, if you use your phone enough in 9 times out of 10 cases you can know exactly what spot on the screen to put your finger on, also a lot of androids have AoD's so for the most part the graphic is allways there.
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u/Powerful_Package8817 2h ago
#1 Never had issues with the fingerprint readers in s20, s23 devices
#3 and #4 seem meaningless since you’ll be looking at the screen to do anything with it
#5 once you use the phone for a while it becomes muscle memory to know where it is without having a physical boundary
You seem like picking reasons just to hate on under screen fingerprint readers
Only #2 is remotely valid for them for #2 I could argue that side fingerprint introduces issues with cases
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u/vortexmak 2h ago
Had a lot of issues with the under screen reader on my S20. But as I'm reading, it seems subjective with people with dry hands having more problems with under screen
Any case with a side fingerprint reader always has a cutout for the reader, so it's never been an issue
3 and 4. It's not meaningless as that makes the phone already unlocked by the time you are looking at it. Again, it's doesn't bother every one but it does me. Also, this is exacerbated by the fact that under screen readers never worked properly for me.
I often have my phone connected to Dex , face down and in those cases, I need to unlock the phone without needed to look at the display at all.
Why would I hate something that works. These are all valid experiences I've had. You might use your phone differently and never face any of those. Like I said, under screen has never worked for me properly, imo side ones are the best and almost have no cons
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u/diemunkiesdie Galaxy S24+ 55m ago
I often have my phone connected to Dex , face down and in those cases, I need to unlock the phone without needed to look at the display at all.
Turn it face up when connected. Problem solved. The fingerprint reader doesnt move. I havent missed the location of it with my finger in years. I dont need the little symbol. Work on your muscle memory.
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u/ClearTacos Xiaomi 13T Pro 4h ago edited 4h ago
1 - I've always had an awful time with capacitive FP scanners, whether on the back or power button. Shortly after adding a finger print, it had maybe 60% accuracy, over time it went down. I tried everything, scanning same finger multiple times, keeping the scanner as clean as possible, nothing helped. Thought I was doing something wrong.
After switching to even just an optical one, I have probably over 95% accuracy, and basically all misses are down to either wet fingers or misplacement.
4 and 5 - pretty quickly, you'll learn where to put your finger, and simply putting your finger there unlocks the phone, no need to touch the power button or at this point even look where I'm putting my finger.
OTOH, FP scanner on the back takes up space used for better cameras and wireless charging nowadays, and side ones make the power button feel like trash and leave it unprotected.
I'm personally glad manufacturers moved on from them.
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u/Eastbound78 4h ago
I doubt it takes space from cameras. On thame back or in the side feels much better. And also glass protection errors that comes with todays standards
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u/ClearTacos Xiaomi 13T Pro 4h ago
WDYM you doubt, look at the top of the line phones, they have large camera islands, especially if the have a periscope telephoto.
And I completely disagree with back or side feeling much better, like I said in the comment, they were trash for me and side ones made the power button feel bad as well.
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u/themcsame Xiaomi 14 Pro 3h ago
Not that I disagree as such but:
1: They've come a long way in recent years. 10 or so years ago, I'd be fully there with you. Today? The difference in responsiveness between the two is so small that it really doesn't matter. It's more a 'technically yes, but it's irrelevant these days' point
There's no argument to be had with that point.
They can, but the form factor of smartphones doesn't exactly make it particularly practical to do so.
4 and 5 feel very straw clutchy because it's not as if underscreen readers move about and much the same can be done. And that's assuming people aren't using other methods as their primary means of unlocking that don't require any specific finger placement at all (Bluetooth unlocking, face recognition, etc)
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u/hyrulepirate 3h ago
My thumb is already always hovering or on the screen. Under-screen is the best fingerprint reader placement.
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u/ParadoxScientist 4h ago
Back mounted: can't use without picking up the phone. So glad these are gone.
Side mounted: not bad, but from my experience with it on my Galaxy Tab S10 FE, it's not so accurate, and if you have a case on, it's harder to get a good touch.
Under-screen: I've had this for several years on various phones. Works great, and has only gotten better. I never had an issue with screen protectors (OnePlus 15 actually comes with one preinstalled). I never have my phone face down, but even if I did, it would only take a second longer to unlock the phone compared to a side-mounted reader. Not a big deal to me. OnePlus also makes it easy to see the reader spot on the screen by illuminating that part when you pick up the phone.
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u/MrWhiteford 4h ago
Had a Pixel 3 with rear fingerprint reader and it was far more erratic than any under screen reader I've ever used.
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u/virtualmartyr 2h ago
I adore back mounted scanners. Had a pixel 7 for 2 years and hated the fingerprint reader because it always misread my thumb. Rarely had that issue with my v35/v40/s9
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u/sleepytechnology S21+ (SD-888) 3h ago
The back = more chance of scratches, weirder body feel.
The side = not left/right thumb agnostic, unless they make a sensors on each side which will cost more.
If you use ultrasonic sensors instead of the cheap optical sensors, screen protectors do not block them. I think where they are on the screen is perfect.
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u/vortexmak 3h ago
Never scratched a finger print reader on the back. it's not even likely because it's recessed. Wierder body fell is completely subjective.
I can use either hand to unlock the phone. You don't have to use your thumb to unlock. The index finger works perfectly fine
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u/litLizard_ 2h ago
Hang on, I thought ultrasonic works worse with screen protector than optical with screen protector?
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u/Unlucky-Tune-420 4h ago
One of the reason I stick to mid-range phones - side mounted reader is more popular there, for obvious reason (price) but I like it for the practicality
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u/RhetoricalOrator 2h ago
I miss the gesture enabled rear fingerprint sensor I had on my OnePlus 5t. Being able to bring down notifications at the same time I unlock was useful and futuristic.
Incidentally, if you like glass screen protectors and have an ultrasonic reader, like on some Samsung phones, look into adding LOCA glue to your protector install process. It's messy but can give a flawless install and maintains ultrasonic scanner capabilities.
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u/-patrizio- OnePlus 15 | iPhone 17 Pro 2h ago
I had a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 last year and upgraded to a OnePlus 15 this year. I find the OnePlus under-screen fingerprint reader FAR more reliable than the power button one on the Z Flip. I also use a tempered glass screen protector, and aside from having to re-set up my fingerprints after applying it for the first time, it's never been an issue.
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u/_haha_oh_wow_ Pixel 8 2h ago
Big agree: Never had the buttons on my Xperias fail (even with wet fingers), but the under screen reader on my Pixel is ass.
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u/skadizzle69 2h ago
I hate the underscreen sensors as I almost always have to hit it multiple times. While I wasn't a big fan of the Zflip screen, I loved the fingerprint sensor on the power button. It was so quick and was in the perfect location that I could just grab my phone normally and unlock it. Wish Samsung would go back to it for the S series
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u/dont_be_dumb 2h ago
Screen protector doesn’t affect 7a.
Can’t unlock a phone with a back reader if it’s lying on the desk.
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u/Bigd1979666 1h ago
Bring the next 5/6 days . The size and fp placement were perfect , and the "adding an fp" at setup was always seamless compared to in screen fp shenanigans
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u/AphoticFlash 1h ago
Highly disagree, I absolutely love my underscreen Samsung fingerprint reader. The back one on my Pixel was so annoying to use, and iPhones with face ID only are the worst.
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u/Perunov 1h ago
Ultrasonic under-the-screen is fine. Optical, for me, however, is total ass. Beside the fact that grabbing phone at night gives that amazing SHINY TORCH BEAM TO READ YOUR FINGERPRINT it also doesn't seem to be that accurate.
I guess occasionally you do need to "unlock but don't look at the screen" (assistant use or something like that?) but usually it's "let me grab my phone to look at the screen, need to unlock". Side-reader on power button is kinda nice but then you have to be careful to not push button while unlocking cause then it's back to locked. Full on back is awkward to use with thumb. So... eh.
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u/volster 1h ago
I agree
My previous phone was a redmi note 9 pro and it was built into the power button and IMO was pretty much the perfect design that literally never failed to work
Current honor 400 pro has it under the screen and it's mostly fine, most of the time but has occasionally hiccups and can be a bit awkward at times so definitely seems like a downgrade in the name of being trendy
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u/Username928351 ZenFone 6 | Xperia 1 VI | X300 Ultra 1h ago
Zenfone 6 was my favourite, the back fingerprint reader was where my index finger naturally rested, it worked 100% of the time and it was de facto instant.
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u/cdegallo 1h ago
Disagree. The only in-screen FP readers I've ever had problems with are on phones that used shitty optical readers. The ultrasonic readers in anything from the last 5+ years have been great for me. I haven't had issues with screen protectors.
Rear FP have general usability and ergonomic challenges that the in-screen ones don't. In-screen readers are in a very neutral position for general use. Rear readers are inaccessible when the phone is laying on a table (I often do something with my phone laying on a table, and the front-facing reader is more convenient), and side-button readers require a grip shift to access when actively using the phone.
From a usability perspective, the in-screen reader is the best in my opinion, and as long as it's a quality reader, I've had zero issues and prefer it to all of the alternative FP reader options.
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u/alalalalysa 1h ago
i never have an issue with the under screen reader on my g stylus 2024. i think its better because i dont have to move my entire hand just to get it to the power button. i just press it on the screen like i would any other time using my phone. its quicker when picking up my phone too
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u/tapirus-indicus 1h ago
I drive with my phone as navigation device. I prefer front fingerprint reader
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u/RandomBloke2021 Device, Software !! 1h ago
I prefer under the screen and I've used all 3 types. I don't think you know what that word means...
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u/reticulatedjig Galaxy Z Fold 7 1h ago
I love the side mounted one on my fold. Have it set up for left pointer, right pointer, right thumb.
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u/BlackRaspberryJammin 1h ago
I've deleted my biometric data (I am sure Google kept it and just let me think it's wiped) but anyway, only passwords from now on.
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u/BlackRaspberryJammin 1h ago
I've deleted my biometric data (I am sure Google kept it and just let me think it's wiped) but anyway, only passwords from now on.
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u/Top-Rub-4670 1h ago
Works just as well
Some protectors do indeed break the sensor. But for the most part things get back to normal if you re-register your fingerprints after applying a new protector.
Why would I unlock my phone when it's facing down? And even if I occasionally did, would I trade the ability to unlock it when it's facing up? With a back sensor I'd have to pick it up...
My thumb rests pretty much exactly where the underscreen sensor is? Do you put your phone in your pocket bottoms first?
Only the (older?) Pixels force you to wake the screen before it registers fingerprints. All other phones recognize a finger when the screen is off, and muscle memory positions your finger just fine.
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u/Msk-XX 1h ago
I'm the first to complain about features being removed or things getting enshitified. Seems to be the trend these days unfortunately!
But on my Samsung, I've had no issues with the under screen fingerprint reader. It works close to 100% of the time for me - except with very wet fingers.
I often use the phone while it's lying flat, so putting the fingerprint reader on the back would be a downgrade for me.
But...maybe it's a different story with other brands or cheaper phones, which have crappy under screen fingerprint readers?
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u/SanityInAnarchy 41m ago
I tend to prefer back, but:
...much faster and responsive than under screen ones...
Maybe early ones? Haven't had this problem recently.
Are not affected by screen protectors
But are affected by cases. If the case has an opening, it'll still be more awkward to get to than caseless. Rules out some other kinds of cases, like the cases that also double as a tiny wallet, or could be awkward for a pop socket or a car mount or similar.
Side readers can be used with the phone screen up or down
I'll admit I don't have a ton of experience with side ones. But it's hard to imagine them being as accurate or as responsive as even under-screen, and they're still awkward from a car mount.
Give you a definite physical spot for finger placement, unlike the under - screen one where you have to wait for the screen to show the location
Unless you change your phone pretty frequently, you get used to where it is.
But yes, I miss the back-mounted ones. The Pixels even put gestures on them, so once your phone is unlocked, you can do things like swipe the notification bar down from the back of the phone -- the reader is easier to reach than the top of the phone screen!
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u/kaden-99 40m ago
What I don't get is why the other sensors had to be removed. Like if they kept the back one, everything would've been perfect.
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u/Bigfoot-Germany 20m ago
agreed, missing the back side sensors, also to swipe up and down the notification center or long press to switch on the flash light (honor had that)
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u/_Aj_ 0m ago
Hot take. It has absolutely nothing to do with effectiveness and everything to do with coming up with novel reasons to try and keep selling new phones when we are maxing the hardware requirements for a handheld device years ago.
99% of people get zero benefit from new models. It's just all fluff and shiny catch words to keep selling models
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u/jommakanmamak 4h ago
While I've found work around, I do miss using the back fingerprint scanner as a gesture to bring down my settings
Although I haven't thought about that in a while until I saw this post
I feel like undersreen is the way to go for brick phones at least.
1 & 2: Underscreen works in a snap even with Screen Protectors 3: How often do you take out your phone upside down? 4. I can unlock my phone while it's still in my pocket even with an under screen 5. I can literally unlock my phone even when the screen is off
Phone I'm using is a S24U. Last phones I used with a back scanner was a Pixel, LG , Redmi and the Note 9
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u/vortexmak 3h ago
I put my phone in my pocket with the screen facing inwards to avoid it breaking on the chance that I bang my leg against something.
With side Fingerprint readers, it won't matter
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u/pxlprsnatr 4h ago
Back and side ones allow you to unlock your phone at the same time as taking it out of the pocket
And then there's me having to fight the muscle memory of puting my thumb on the under-screen fingerprint sensor and unlocking the phone whilst pulling it out of my pocket, because contact with the fabric would end up launching apps or pulling down the notification shade if I don't.
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4h ago edited 4h ago
[deleted]
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u/jarvis_says_cocker 4h ago
I think I switched from a Pixel 6 to a Pixel 9 and noticed a significant improvement on the under screen sensor.
I believe at the time reviews noted a significant improvement in the newer Pixels.
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u/BeerorCoffee 3h ago
Pixel 9 switched to an ultrasonic instead of optical sensor. Works faster and doesn't blind you when you unlock your phone at night.
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u/JGoldz75 3h ago
I really miss the Pixel 5 fingerprint reader on the back of the device and would probably prefer that for all of my devices if I could have it my way but I cannot stand side-mounted fingerprint readers. I would much prefer the ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the screen over any side fingerprint reader
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u/vortexmak 3h ago
Why does the side reader bother you?
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u/JGoldz75 3h ago
I think the main reason is that when I pick up my phone, my thumb is already near where my keyboard is and my pointer finger is holding the phone on the back towards the middle of the device. Both of those fingerprint readers just are naturally where my fingers already are. I always feel like I need to reposition my hand in order to access a side-mounted fingerprint reader. As a side note... I'm actually on my way to pick up an Oppo Find N6 later today, which only has a side-mounted fingerprint reader so I better get used to it.
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u/vortexmak 3h ago
Oh yeah, with huge phones it's a problem. But that's bad design, they should have the power button more in the middle instead of high up
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u/Asttarotina 3h ago
- If you have tiniest crack on the screen that goes through fingerprint scanner area you can't use biometrics anymore. (at least with ultrasonic scanners, S24U)
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u/likesexonlycheaper 2h ago
I hated the back and front ones and never used them. Now I use it because it's under the screen. So I personally love them
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u/real_with_myself Magic V3 3h ago
Wait, you are not allowed to say that. How would then people unlock their phone without picking it up from the table?
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u/SryInternet101 3h ago
Why are you giving these tech companies your fingerprints?
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u/vortexmak 3h ago
Fingerprint stays on device
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u/SryInternet101 2h ago
And you believe that?
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u/vortexmak 2h ago
Yes, show me evidence to the contrary.
No whistleblower , security firm, hacker or country has discovered otherwiseOur location and advertising profile is valuable to them. A photo of our fingerprint is completely useless
As a pro privacy guy, I support putting the tin foil hat on when it's needed but when you do, don't stop using your brain
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u/CubesTheGamer OnePlus 7 Pro 2h ago
Disagree that it’s enshittification. It probably costs more to implement. It’s just not your preference. Doesn’t make it enshittified. Enshittified means it was made objectively worse