Samsung S10 slated for 3D facial recognition and in-display fingerprint sensor, maybe no iris recognition

Samsung’s forthcoming Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus flagship smartphones may trade the iris recognition technology of current models for 3D facial recognition and an in-display fingerprint sensor, according to Korean publication thebell, via GSMArena.

Samsung has filed patent applications for a phone unlocking system using an optical in-display sensor, as well as for a combined in-display fingerprint sensor and button. The company was also reported a month ago to be developing an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for implementation in the display of the S10.

Samsung was also recently reported to have confirmed to partners that a fingerprint sensor would be integrated under the Samsung Display glass of the S10, which is slated for launch in early 2019. Thebell also repeats a previous report that the algorithm is being developed with Mantis Vision.

Iris authentication could still be included, particularly if the development of one of the two other modalities is not completed in time for the S10, but eliminating it would reduce the manufacturing cost of the devices, according to thebell. The fingerprint sensor could potentially also capture blood pressure and heart rate data, though that technology is still in development, GSMArena reports.

In-display fingerprint sensors are included in an increasing number of smartphones, such as the Xiaomi Mi and vivo NEX, and IHS Markit predicts 300 million in-display fingerprint sensors will be shipped each year by 2022. Android P, currently in developer preview, provides native support for several biometric authentication modalities, including with an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Article Topics

facial recognition  |  fingerprint sensors  |  iris recognition  |  Samsung  |  smartphones