Samsung has been trying to implement its fingerprint scanner into the screen of its popular Galaxy S line for quite some time now. It attempted on the Galaxy S8, but it clearly did not happen then. Now, a new report claims it might not happen in Galaxy S9 either.
Fingerprint scanning is one of the three biometric options for unlocking the Galaxy S8 alongside facial recognition and iris scanning. It is currently the company's most secure choice as the facial recognition can be duped with a picture while the iris scanning can be tricked with contact lenses. However, the fingerprint scanner has also received a fair share of complaints, the most common of which is its inconvenient placement next to the camera.
Previous rumors suggested the Korean tech giant is planning to relocate the tech as part of the display, but as with previous iterations of the Galaxy S, technical issues have kept that from happening. Samsung has reportedly continued working on this technology until recently.
Korean publication The Investor claims Samsung has given up on the idea of integrating an in-display fingerprint sensor on the next-generation S smartphone. Instead, it will likely place the scanner at the back of the device just like the current Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ models.
This report came on the heels of finalization the hardware specifications of the new Galaxy S9 duo, for which it began pilot production in October. The mass production of the upcoming smartphone will reportedly begin in December.
However, the cancellation of the in-display fingerprint scanner is just for S9. Samsung will still try to bring the feature to the Galaxy Note 9, which will likely be unveiled next August.
Apple has already ditched fingerprint scanning as its primary biometric option in favor of facial ID. Some expected Samsung to follow suit, but an industry insider insists there are no plans of removing it soon. "Samsung won't get rid of fingerprint sensors in its handsets, as there many services and platforms run based on the technology," the source told the publication.
A reputable leaker has previously said that the back panel of Galaxy S9 will be drastically altered. Although it remains to be seen what exactly changes, the relocation of the fingerprint scanner to the front was one of the most plausible options. But, with the new report, it is not clear how much can actually change now.
