In-display fingerprint readers are set to hit cheaper phones with BOE's new LCD panels

At the start of last year, Vivo introduced the world's first under-display fingerprint reader. At the time, the technology was still quite rough around the edges but has, since then, improved massively. The technology has, in different forms, been utilized on various devices. What all those devices have in common are their AMOLED displays, however, since the technology could only be used on AMOLED panels. Until now, that is.

Chinese display maker BOE has now introduced its new LCD panels that can play host to under-display fingerprint readers. Before now, AMOLED panels were the only viable option as they're inherently thinner and allow for better luminal penetration than their LCD counterparts. On the flip side, AMOLED displays are more expensive to produce than LCD ones, so this development ensures that under-display fingerprint sensors will become a bit more accessible in the mid-range and budget segments.

While the technology has been developed, yield rates are likely still a bit too low for business, and BOE expects the technology to enter mass production by the end of this year, or by the start of next year.

It's always nice to see new technology but we've never quite understood the point of under-display sensors, at least in their current forms. They aren't quite as fast or reliable as traditional capacitive sensors and don't actually do much for the design of a phone. Few would debate the fact that a solid, snappy traditional sensor at the back of a phone is still much better than an under-display one.