I had two Samsung flagship phones, one (S20FE) had an optical fingerprint reader and the other (S22) had an ultrasonic one. Both of them somewhat regularly failed to read my finger, were slower than a fingerprint reader on the power button and are more expensive/complex to build. They won’t work with cheap 3rd party screen replacements and some screen protectors as well.

Meanwhile my $90 Android phone has a fingerprint reader on the power button. It never fails and I never have to perfectly place my finger on the sensor area to get it to work. It just seems like the perfect place to put a fingerprint sensor, so why do phone manufacturers keep using in-display fingerprint readers over the cheaper alternative?

  • TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    16 hours ago

    I miss when it was on the back, right around where you put your finger when you pick up the phone.

    The underscreen one is a major downgrade and I gotta fumble with it a few times to get it to work, usually.

    • RisingSwell@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      9 hours ago

      My underscreen one is excellent and works 99% of the time. That still leaves it significantly worse than rear fingerprint sensor. RIP the best unlock method.

    • MeatsOfRage@lemmy.world
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      11 hours ago

      Biggest thing I miss about the old Pixels was this because you could swipe it to pull the notifications bar down. It worked system wide so you could during a game or video just pop it down to check time or settings and just flick it away without moving your hand to the top of the phone.

    • Thavron@lemmy.ca
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      15 hours ago

      Yessss. I had a Nexus 6P and the back fingerprint reader was amazing. Still probably the best phone I’ve had.

    • WR5@lemmy.world
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      14 hours ago

      I have a Google Pixel 5 and it’s in a great location for me. It’s right where my thumb generally rests.

    • Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      15 hours ago

      This so much! And it’s eragonomic no matter which hand you use. My new phone has it on the power button and it’s just ok. I miss having a rear touch sensor.