Galaxy Note 9 will go with under-display fingerprint scanner, says Kuo

Ming-chi Kuo is more famous for his analysis and predictions on Apple products, though some think he's been losing steam of late. He has also dabbled on Android devices recently, and now he has word on what Samsung might be planning next year. While he thinks that Android devices are heading the way of Apple's Face ID and TrueDepth camera, Samsung is still pushing through, at least temporarily, with the under-display optical fingerprint sensor, which might debut in the Galaxy Note 9.

Samsung has reportedly already invested tons of resources, money included of course, in the development of such fingerprint sensors hidden under the display. Apple supposedly has as well, but it seems that Cupertino has decided to cut its losses and head in an entirely different direction. It instead is trying its hand in the 3D sensor and face recognition game, which, Kuo predicts, will be the direction where everyone will be heading in the next 2-3 years.

Samsung, however, isn't changing course. At least not yet. Kuo says that Samsung has already been sent samples of the necessary components by at least two potential suppliers. Those include Korean company BeyondEyes as well as Samsung's own Samsung LSI company. Another candidate is supposedly EGIS, who already supplies conventional fingerprint sensors to Samsung.

Curiously, Kuo's KGI Securities reports that Synaptics isn't being considered as a supplier. Synaptics was one of those reported to be developing an under-display fingerprint scanner specifically for this purpose. However, the requirement of using the OLED display as a light source for the optical sensor supposedly rules the company out. This also reinforces the theory that the OLED requirement is holding back many phone makers from adopting a similar technology.

If the technology finally becomes ready for public use, it should debut with the Galaxy Note 9 next year, Kuo predicts. If there is one at all, since Samsung is also expected to debut the foldable Galaxy X next year. It might, however, only be a short-lived feature, as he believes that even Samsung will migrate over to face recognition just like everyone else.

SOURCE: Business Insider