Under-screen fingerprint tech due January on flagship phone

Synaptics has announced that its Clear ID under-display biometric fingerprint sensor tech is currently in mass production with a “top five OEM.” Due to hit the market in January, the San Jose-based company says the technology is twice as fast as 3D facial recognition (read Apple Face ID), and is also highly secure as it utilizes AI to examine fingerprints in order to reject spoofing attempts.

“Consumers prefer fingerprint authentication on the front of the phone, and with the industry quickly shifting to bezel-free OLED infinity displays, the natural placement of the fingerprint sensor is in the display itself,” said Kevin Barber, senior vice president and general manager, Mobile Division, Synaptics. “Synaptics’ Clear ID fingerprint sensors are faster, more convenient, and more secure than alternative biometrics, and this optical technology represents a major innovation shift and opportunity for the smartphone market.

Apple was among the first companies rumored to be exploring similar technology for the iPhone X. However, when it launched, it dropped fingerprint authentication altogether in favor of Face ID, a sophisticated 3D facial-recognition technology. Face ID, however, is not without its critics, who among other things, have commented on the fact that it is slower to work than the Touch ID tech found on the iPhone 7 and 8. However, Synaptics Clear ID fingerprint tech (unlike even Touch ID), will work with wet, dry and cold fingers.

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