If you’ve ever envied the lightning-fast, super-accurate fingerprint scanners on those expensive Samsung Galaxy S24 or Galaxy S23 phones, there’s some exciting news for you. A company called Goodix, known for making affordable optical fingerprint sensors for lots of phone brands, has just unveiled its own version of the high-tech ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanner. This innovative technology made its debut in the Vivo X100 Ultra on May 13, 2024, a significant step in making this advanced security feature more accessible.
So, what’s the big deal about ultrasonic scanners? They’re like the superheroes of fingerprint tech. Unlike regular optical in-display scanners, they work even when your fingers are wet or dirty. Plus, they don’t need the screen to light up, saving a tiny bit of battery life. Here’s a comparison of the two fingerprint-scanning technologies for better understanding.
Goodix’s ultrasonic fingerprint solution boasts a unique architecture and proprietary algorithms that enhance the clarity of fingerprint images, speed up recognition, and boost security. It also uses a low-voltage driving system, reducing power consumption and making it easier for phone makers to integrate into their designs.
Up until now, these fancy scanners have mostly been found in top-tier phones, mainly because Qualcomm (the other company making them) charges a pretty penny. Only Samsung could afford these prices, leaving out many other Android brands that cater to millions across the globe. But with Goodix jumping into the game, things could change. Goodix is committed to making this technology more widely available by streamlining supply chains and improving production efficiency to reduce costs. So far, Goodix already has one of its ultrasonic sensors inside the recently launched Vivo X100 series.
Why should you care? Well, Goodix reportedly offers really good prices on their regular fingerprint scanners. So, if they keep that up with their ultrasonic sensors, it could mean more affordable phones getting a serious upgrade in the fingerprint department. Up until now, most premium phones still use optical scanners while midrangers are stuck with side-mounted fingerprint sensors. This could soon change, with more premium phones from other Android brands getting in on the ultrasonic fun, resulting in wider adoption of under-display fingerprint scanning technology. Who knows, maybe midrangers and budget phones will start adopting in-display sensors too.
The Vivo X100 Ultra not only features Goodix’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor but also incorporates an array of their other innovative solutions, such as smart audio amplifiers, audio software, optical in-display fingerprint sensors, and AMOLED touch solutions, all designed to elevate the user experience.
Of course, we don’t know all the details yet. We’re still waiting to hear how Goodix’s prices compare to Qualcomm’s and their own regular scanners. But, this is definitely a big step towards bringing cutting-edge tech to more people, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed (pun intended!) that it means more affordable phones with high-tech fingerprint scanners for everyone.
