Fingerprint scanners on mobile phones have been around for awhile, but they’ve really started to take off recently as the technology behind the scanners has improved. One thing that has still been required though is some sort of button, cut out, or exposed area for the fingerprint scanner to function. A new sensor developed by Synaptics may change that. Their new fingerprint scanners are capable of reading your fingerprint through display glass.
Synaptics’ new FS9100 sensor takes away a lot of the pain points related to current fingerprint sensors. It is able to work under up to 1mm of display glass, including under the front bottom bezel found on most smartphones. Since it is under the display glass, it cannot be scratched, cannot get wet, and will respond to wet fingers, which is usually a problem with current sensors.
Synaptics VP of marketing Anthony Gioeli had this to say about their new line of scanners:
Synaptics’ FS9100 family of fingerprint sensors represent a new breed of optical fingerprint sensor technology that is designed to meet the needs of mobile devices, including the ability to image through thick 2.5D glass. In addition to opening the door to new industrial design options, it enables OEMs to provide highly durable, button-free cover glass and more easily provide water resistant products while eliminating low yield glass processing.
We’ve still got some time before we’ll start seeing these sensors in new devices. Synaptics is said to begin sampling on the new sensors in Q1 of 2017, with full production starting in Q2.
Where would you like to see these sensors? Any particular OEM jump to mind? Tell us what you think in the comment section below, or on Google+, Facebook, or Twitter.
[button link=”http://www.macrumors.com/2016/12/13/synaptics-optical-fingerprint-sensors/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Mac Rumors[/button]
