this post was submitted on 01 Nov 2024

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Five years later, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors are finally coming to more Android phones (9to5google.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

31 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In-display fingerprint sensors have become commonplace in virtually all Android smartphones, for better or for worse, and five years later...

top 31 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] [email protected] 35 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

How about a real sensor on the back, that works every time, like my 2017 phone had.

Screw this under the screen nonsense, that's not how I hold my phone. It's awkward.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I'm a big fan of the side power button scanner on my Moto G

[–] hoch 2 points 2 weeks ago

The Z Fold has a side button scanner as well; it's easily one of my favorite features

[–] MaXimus421 2 points 2 weeks ago

I've grown to hate the power button sensor on Moto's because on many cases the cutout for the button is deep. Making it a pain in the ass to get good contact with the button for the sensor to read properly. Literally never have gotten it to read successfully on the first try since I've owned the phone with the case I use.

Yes, it's technically a case problem, but it shouldn't be on the friggin power button to begin with imo.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 weeks ago

Used to love the back sensor. I could unlock my phone as I was taking it out of my pocket

[–] jacktherippah 10 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I'm gonna have to say no to that. I love my ultrasonic sensor. It works when wet and is in a way more reachable location (the screen). No need to reach behind the phone or stretch your finger to unlock, no need to lift your phone when it's on a table. The success rate is basically identical and it's lightning fast, even faster than a physical sensor. The final perk is it doesn't create a large circle opening on the back of a case so the back of your phone is totally smooth save for the camera.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

My experience is different. I have a pixel 8 for work and pixel 5 for personal. The physical fingerprint reader on the pixel 5 constantly works. The pixel 8, fails way too often.

[–] jacktherippah 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

The 8 has a shitty optical sensor. You've gotta try those Samsung ultrasonic sensors or those on the Pixel 9s. Way different experience. Just a light tap and it unlocks.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

My current device has that (2019 Motorola)

[–] Buffalox 10 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Are ultrasonic sensors better apart from the light hing? That I have never even thought about could be a problem.
Mine detects b between up to 5 fingers, and it's fast and with good accuracy, which is nice because depending on the situation I may use either hand.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

They are way better, faster without sacrificing precision/security. With an ultrasonic sensor I can simply tap the screen and it's unlocked, where with the optical ones I'd need to press for a second before unlocking, sometimes having to shuffle my finger around.

[–] disconnectikacio 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I experienced the complete opposite. Ultrasonic was crap, inaccurate, and slow (until it stopped working completely), while optical was just a tap, and very accurate

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

You probably used some cheap crappy chinese knock off ultrasonic then, because they do work, and much much better than optical

[–] disconnectikacio 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Yeah, a "cheap" top tier huawei p30 pro that cost about 600$ when it was new 😆

I dont think ultrasonic can be better, but regardless of sensor tech, in screen sensor is absolutely crap, i put the inventors to the same box as the inventors/pushers of micro usb, curved edge phone screens, removing jack connectors, etc... these things arey very annoying, and very useless.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I have the P9p and have more issues with the (ultra sonic) sensor than I did with the (optical sensor) on the previous P8p.

I even compared both in hand before trading in the older phone and the P8p scanning was much better.

Though I have to mention; to improve the optical sensor reading I had to do 4 fingerprints with different brightness for each scan, and that what helped a lot.

Too bad I can't do the same with the Ultrasonic sensor since it doesn't care about the brightness on the screen.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I went Galaxy S22 Ultra (ultrasonic) to Pixel 8 Pro (optical) to Pixel 9 XL (ultrasonic).

My impression was the performance improved over time with the Galaxy and Pixel 8. I find the Pixel 9 worst overall, but figure they'll improve it in software.

No data to back that up.

It mostly struggles when my hand is wet. I miss the Pixel 4's face unlock.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Pixel 9 pro struggles with my finger scan if it's too dry. I guess washing hands removes the body naturally produced oil and that makes it harder to scan.

[–] disconnectikacio 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I'd like to switch back to my older phone, one of main reasons is the fingerprint sensor. The old phone has the plain old sensor at the back, where i naturally touch my phone, and its very fast. Much faster, and accurate than the newer phone's in screen sensor... when that was working... but it isnt working at all since a year.

Ultrasonic in screen sensor is absolute crap in every aspects. However the newer phone is a Huawei which also crap in everything, except its leica camera.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Gid these are shtty, and in a shitty spot.

I know ved the one on my Gakaxy Nte 9. I had it unlocked before it was out of my pocket or picked up, the one on the Pixel Pro 6 was so bad I got rid if the phone after a month, the Samsung Note22u i am on now sucks but not quite as bad.

Damn it bring it back like the Note 9! Worked 99/100 and was fast.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

I want my fingerprint sensor to squeal

[+] [email protected] -10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Never use biometrics on devices, security/privacy risk

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

So is typing in your passphrase while out in public around cameras. Might as well just not use the phone.

Just familiarize yourself with your phone's lockdown mode so it's muscle memory.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

If you don't succeed in lockdown before seizure, or aren't conscious, your biometrics can be used without your consent.

Taking reasonable steps to improve your security doesn't mean all efforts are all or nothing

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

For my threat profile, state actors compelling biometrics from my EDC phone is pretty low on my list of concerns. That shit is intentionally sterile because I know they will just push me a compromised "security update" if they want in.

And in any case, I'd still rather be able to fight the collection in public, vs being compromised by anyone who paid the janitor $20 to plug a USB drive into my phone.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Sure, as conversation, i've heard of thieves face unlocking phones they just stole.

Indeed running as sterile an every day phone as possible is another great security approach by reducing risk.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Yeah I don't really care what a thief does with my phone after they brain me. It's the skull damage which concerns me. My google account is locked down with a hardware key so there's only so much damage they can do before I wipe the device. Unless I'm dead, in which case I guess it doesn't matter. Also my wife knows how to handle this situation. I would strongly suggest investing in posthumous spouse security as early as possible.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Your last sentence is great.

Regarding the prior stuff, that's very "you specific". There's of course tons of caveats or gotchas to my broad statement, but it doesn't make it untrue.

Biometrics present a less secure access path to a device...

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

My point is that they are separable threat profiles. If you are more concerned about your sketchy tinder date grabbing your lock screen password, biometrics are great. What I would love is a quick settings toggle for biometrics.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

Now we're talking

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Jokes on them, my phones stupid fingerprint reader only works about 3% of the time. They'll get frustrated and give up before finding anything, I know I usually do.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Phones are surprisingly hard to get into these days under normal conditions. Used to be able to ask a lost phone to call mom to find the owner. Now the voice profile doesn't match.