At long last, Google is reported to be upgrading the type of fingerprint reader on the Pixel lineup. For years, we’ve had an optical reader on Pixel phones, and while Google has done its best to make them quick, an upgrade to ultrasonic technology is sure to help speed up Pixel 9 unlocking.
According to a source of Android Authority, Google will use Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic Gen 2 reader, same as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Speaking from much experience, I can report that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is very fast to unlock and verify identity when using the fingerprint reader, so we’re looking forward to this upgrade considerably.
The other major improvement with ultrasonic is no more going partially blind late at night when you don’t cover the optical reader entirely with your finger. We quite recently discussed this at length.
It’s reported we’ll have this upgraded sensor in the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, while the Fold model will keep its scanner embedded in the power button.
Thoughts on this upgrade for the Pixel series? I know some folks who will be very happy about this.
Please just put the fingerprint sensor in the power button on all devices. We don't need a in screen fingerprint sensor… And we also want the swipe down notification functionality back!
¯_(ツ)_/¯
Sincerely a Google Pixel User!
The fp sensor has gotten better through updates though it is still not perfect. This combined with face unlock it has not been too bad
Finally.
I have zero complaint with my P7P fpr, but welcome the upgrade.
I have a pixel 6 and i have nothing but problems with the fingerprint reader, so I am very excited they are switching to the ultrasonic reader! Looking forward to it!
I'm very happy with my Pixel 8 and wasn't planning to upgrade this year, but this new tidbit will make the 9 a little harder to pass up…
I'm sure it's still worse than the P5 rear scanner, and still missing swipe functionality as well. One of the many design regressions phones have made.
In my experience the fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro isn't any worse than the sensor on the Pixel 5.
In my experience the FP sensor on my Pixel 8 is significantly worse than my previous Pixel 5. I use a screen protector as well though, which should be expected on phones (and there's a setting to adjust the FP sensor for screen protectors, which of course I have enabled). I've noticed it's almost useless in direct sunlight as well and consistently fails to the PIN login in that situation.
On my P5 I can prolly count on one or two hands how many times it failed to scan in the almost 3 years I had it, not counting times I had wet hands or something.
That’s interesting. It must be the screen protector. I don’t use screen protectors.
Wonder if the Face Unlock on the PF2/P9PF will be improved as well…
So does this mean the fingerprint scanner won't blind me, light up the room, send a light signal to aliens while trying to unlock my phone in the middle of the night while trying to sneak on my phone as I am waiting for my kids to sleep…?
If it's anything like the Samsung fingerprint scanners then yep! No more blinding light.
How is that even an issue? You much have thumbs the size of a 5 year old to not fully cover the sensor. I don't have particularly large fingers and even my pinky finger fully covers the sensor.
You don't need need to fully cover the sensor for the light to come on, even the slightest touch on the edge of the sensor will flash bang you in the middle of the night.
I guess you don’t HAVE TO cover the entire sensor for the light to flash but I ALWAYS do so it’s literally never a problem. Why would you put your finger on only the edge of the sensor? That’s just weird.
Jesus Christ man, no one does it intentionally, lots of complaints about this. Check out Reddit it's all over.
I’ve never had an issue even unintentionally. I’d have to intentionally try and just hit the edge of the sensor. It’s very odd that you seem to have such an issue with it.
How is that even an issue for you? I have a Pixel 8 Pro and I've never had a problem like what you are describing.
Some of us have skinny thumbs. I know this problem all too well where I face the phone away from me at night just so I don't get blinded by the light of a thousand suns.
If it's really something you notice then saying you have "skinny thumbs" is a massive understatement. I don't have very wide thumbs and my thumbs more than cover the entire sensor. Hell, even my pinky finger fully covers the sensor.
I weigh ~100 lbs and I'm 5'9". I have very skinny fingers…
So it won't blind me in the middle of the night when trying to unlock my phone…
Does anyone know the name of the font of the numbers on the clock widget in the image on this article?
I still miss the rear indented fingerprint reader on the Pixel 3XL. Front reader on the P7P always messes up if my hands are even a little wet
I dont use my finger print scanner on my pixel 8 so couldnt careless if the fingerprint scanner has been upgraded
Sounds like the perfect article to not comment on then.
Imagine how self-important someone must be, in order to come here and make such a statement. Newsflash: we don't care that you don't care!
I dont care what you say my opinion
I have no issues with the reader on my P7
Wow. Downvotes because you don't have a problem with your phone. Classy.
Awesome – Any word of the 9 will keep the temp/thermometer feature ?
Google hasn't confirmed, but every single render/leaked image has shown that there is indeed the sensor on the Pixel 9 Pro's backside.
Awesome –