There's already a fair bit of speculation about the Galaxy S10 features given that it's the 10th anniversary model of Samsung's flagship series. The company is expected to pull out all the stops and launch a revolutionary device next year. One of the new Galaxy S10 features is said to be an in-display fingerprint sensor that some have been expecting Samsung to introduce with the Galaxy Note 9 later this year.
It has been rumored for the past couple of years that Samsung will integrate an in-display fingerprint sensor into its flagship smartphones. It's yet to do that and while many were holding out on hope that the company would do that with the Galaxy Note 9, that may not be the case.
Galaxy S10 features
There have been conflicting reports over the past couple of months that the Galaxy Note 9 will feature an in-display fingerprint sensor. It was also reported two months ago that Samsung would make a final decision on this in the near future and it appears the company has made a decision.
Samsung has reportedly informed its suppliers that it has abandoned its plan to introduce the sensor with the Galaxy Note 9 in favor of introducing it with the Galaxy S10 next year. Samsung won't be the first company to bring a smartphone with an in-display fingerprint sensor to market but its technology will be superior to the one that Chinese OEMs are using.
An optical sensor works by capturing reflected fingerprints between and through the OLED pixels. The sensor is easier to implement but not as accurate. Samsung is developing an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor itself which will be much more accurate.
It works by transmitting an ultrasonic pulse against the finger some of which is absorbed and some sent back to the sensor through the minute details such as pores and ridges that are unique to every fingerprint. This allows for additional depth data to be collected which results in a very accurate 3D reproduction of the fingerprint, thus ensuring higher accuracy.
Samsung is reportedly developing this ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor itself and aims to use it in devices other than smartphones as well, such as home appliances, smart home devices and even automobiles.
It's too soon for the company to confirm when it's going to unveil the Galaxy S10 but there are whispers on the street that the Galaxy S10 could be unveiled at CES 2019 in January as the MWC 2019 slot will be kept for the elusive foldable smartphone.