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

  • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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    2 months ago

    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.

      • MaXimus421@lemmy.world
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        2 months 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.

      • hoch@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

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

    • jacktherippah@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      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.

      • uhmbah@lemmy.ca
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        2 months ago

        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@lemmy.world
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          2 months 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.

  • Buffalox@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    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.

    • Virkkunen@fedia.io
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      2 months ago

      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@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        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

        • darkstar@sh.itjust.works
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          2 months ago

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

          • disconnectikacio@lemmy.world
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            2 months 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.

          • BlueFire@lemdro.id
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            2 months 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.

    • Byter@lemmy.one
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      2 months ago

      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.

      • BlueFire@lemdro.id
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        2 months 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@lemmy.world
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    2 months 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.

  • Hanrahan@slrpnk.net
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    2 months 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.