Product Reviewers Rave about the new Qualcomm Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor with Force Sensing on various new Smartphones
While Samsung's under-display fingerprint recognition feature has definitely has its issues over the past five years, it's definitely a popular feature that smartphone owners want and it's one of the top features that Apple customers are interested in if it means killing the iPhone's dreaded notch.
On Wednesday, Qualcomm announced a next-gen Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, now with Force Sensing.
Qualcomm officially announced that their world’s largest ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor just got better. When it debuted in 2019, Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max was unlike any fingerprint reader on the market. Not only is it up to 17 times larger than its predecessor, Qualcomm 3D Sonic Sensor, the Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max also utilizes 3D pulse reflection.
This creates a detailed 600mm2 reproduction of the scanned fingerprints which enables instant fingerprint scanning and stronger security. Phones equipped with Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max can not only read two fingerprints simultaneously but can also register a fingerprint with one single tap — no more tapping your fingerprint multiple times during each fingerprint set up.
Smartphones with Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max (vivo IQOO 8 Pro, IQOO 9 Pro, vivo IQOO 11 Pro and vivo X90 Pro Plus) deliver an unmatched fingerprint unlocking experience. But don’t take our word for it — here’s what the critics have to say:
01: MKBHD — "this ultrasonic sensor gigantic and works 'kinda' like magic."
02: Unbox Therapy — "every phone should have that."
03: Flossy Carter — "fastest fingerprint sensor in the game."
04: Tech Tablets — "it’s the best I’ve ever used in a phone; period."
And just when you think we’ve outdone ourselves with such a robust fingerprint sensor, the next best thing is already on the horizon. Enter Force Sensing.
Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max, now with Force Sensing
Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max has succeeded in becoming the best fingerprint reader for smartphones but we’re not stopping there. We’re adding an exciting new feature to enable better performance and user experience — Force Sensing.
Force Sensing enables phone apps to detect how hard you press on the smartphone display. This means developers can add new experiences to their lock screen and applications (apps). Racing games, for example, can use Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max as the acceleration pedal or lightly tap for the brakes. Force Sensing can also function as an instant unlock and shortcut to your favorite app. Developers can add Force Sensing to any experience they dream up.
Designed to enable next generation experiences, we also want to bring it to even more smartphones, deeply integrating it with display manufacturers building it directly into their displays, thereby reducing cost and accelerating the market adoption of these premium experiences. The first device to integrate Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max with Force Sensing is the Meizu M21 Pro, setting a precedent for a range of top-of-the-line smartphones yet to come.
Anti-spoofing security
Safeguard a user's identity with the most advanced fingerprint security system available. Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max uses acoustic-based technology that reflects the unique features of a user's individual fingerprint vs. optical solutions, which leaves users exposed to spoofing. With Anti-spoofing built in, 3D Sonic meets the highest security standards for mobile devices, rejecting imposter photographs and fake mold of your finger.
You could learn more about this here.
Apple's Solution: A Work in Progress
Apple patents indicate that Apple's engineering teams are still experimenting with various approaches to under-display technology. Here are just a few of the patents on record: 01 (using optical fibers), 02 (Optical), 03 (working in the shortwave infrared band),and ultrasonic in patent #04 used on device buttons rather than under the display as used in the iPad Air. Could the new "camera" button on the iPhone 16 double as a fingerprint sensor? Likely not, but it could be one option in the future.