Samsung is reportedly not considering an under display fingerprint sensor for its Galaxy S9 smartphone because of its price. The Galaxy S9's selling point is said to be improved iris recognition and dual camera system.
Samsung Galaxy Note9 and not Galaxy S9 will be the first smartphone from South Korean company to feature an under display fingerprint sensor. According to KGI Securities, it will take one more year for Samsung to launch a smartphone with a fingerprint sensor embedded under the display.
With smartphone makers switching to a new design language with thinner top and bottom bezels, an under display fingerprint sensor was seen as the most obvious choice. The first device to launch with an under display fingerprint sensor was rumoured to be Samsung's Galaxy S8 or the Note8. However, Samsung opted to move the fingerprint sensor to the back and almost out of reach for most users.
With Qualcomm having showcased the first working prototype of an under display fingerprint sensor in collaboration with Vivo, the technology was expected to make a showing on Galaxy S9. In a new report seen by 9to5Google, KGI predicts that Samsung will stick to rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for its Galaxy S9, expected to launch early next year. We can hope that Samsung makes it convenient for users to reach the fingerprint sensors.
The report notes that Apple's OLED iPhone having ditched under-display fingerprint recognition technology, Samsung doesn't see a need to risk adopting the new technology. KGI adds that Galaxy S9's selling point will be improved iris recognition and dual camera system.
Furthermore, Samsung will also switch from Synaptics to Egis for the supply of Galaxy Note 9's fingerprint sensor. KGI also notes that the cost of under display fingerprint sensors is 4-5 times that of existing technology, making the switch an expensive option. Most Chinese smartphone makers are expected to adopt under display fingerprint sensing technology as early as next year and Samsung is probably waiting for the technology to become mainstream rather than going for first mover advantage.
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