Samsung Galaxy S9 Release Date Includes Specs Conflicts For Fingerprint Sensor

Recent details surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S9 suggest the device may include some major changes by way of design. These changes could potentially also affect the placement and functionality of the device’s fingerprint scanner.

Tech informant UniverseIce Tweeted Sunday, “The back of the Galaxy S9 will change a lot.” The ominous post did not include further details; however, there are already a number of conflicting rumors about Samsung’s plans for the device’s fingerprint scanner. This recent claim could spark further speculation about features for the Galaxy S9.

Last week, Dutch tech blog, Galaxy Club reported on a patent Samsung filed with a Korean trademark organization, which would allow the manufacturer to place a fingerprint scanner within a small notch at the bottom of a smartphone screen. The technology appears to be different than the long-rumored optical fingerprint sensor, which can be embedded into a smartphone display.

Reports suggested this new technology could be Samsung’s answer to an industry-wide issue with implementing display embedded fingerprint sensors on flagship smartphones. While several manufacturers have been working on bringing to market, smartphones with in-display fingerprint sensors, they have all reportedly had issues mass producing the feature.

Like many rival manufacturers, Samsung has taken small steps to usher in a device with a display embedded fingerprint sensor. The 2017 Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 both feature rear fingerprint sensors and virtual home buttons on edge-to-edge displays. Many have expected a display embedded fingerprint sensor would be the natural progression once Samsung mastered the technology. However, several sources indicate the Galaxy S9 won’t introduce the new feature. UniverseIce has also recently Tweeted that he is certain the Galaxy S9 would not have on-screen fingerprint recognition. Additionally, a former Samsung marketing manager claims the technology likely won’t be ready for the Galaxy S9 release.

So the question remains: if the Galaxy S9 won’t feature a display embedded fingerprint sensor, what will Samsung do with the back of the device? The most obvious solution would be moving the capacitive fingerprint sensor to a central location on the rear of the handset. Other Samsung flagships have fingerprint sensors located to the right of the camera module, which has proven to be a cumbersome position for the feature. Other manufacturers, such as Huawei and LG center their rear-facing fingerprint sensors on handsets, including the Huawei Mate 10 and LG V30. This placement makes it easy for users naturally place their finger on the sensor.

The Galaxy S9 may not include a display embedded fingerprint sensor, but there are already indications that Samsung is working to introduce the feature on the Galaxy Note 9. Reports claim Samsung is in talks with several biometrics vendors, including Synaptics, BeyondEyes, Samsung LSI and Egis. Another recent report from Galaxy Club indicates Samsung has filed a new patent with South Korea’s Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) for a pressure-sensitive in-display fingerprint reader.

The next Galaxy Note device could potentially be an ideal test bed for Samsung to introduce a display embedded fingerprint sensor. Consumers have already seen Samsung do this with the Galaxy Note 8, which introduced a dual-camera system to the Galaxy lineup. The Galaxy S9 will likely now have a dual-camera after the feature has proved successful on the Note 8.

If Samsung follows this strategy, the first Galaxy S device to feature a display embedded fingerprint scanner could potentially be a flagship releasing in 2019.​