Passwords and PINs are just a hazzle. A phone with a fingerprint scanner is much easier to use. You don't have to memorise stuff and as a bonus, these phones offer a high level of security and more convenient operation. How does a fingerprint reader work? How do various fingerprint scanning technologies differ, and is it really a secure solution? We can give you the advice you need.
Continue
How does a Mobile Phone with a Fingerprint Scanner Work and How do the Readers Differ?
Phones with a fingerprint reader use different sensing technologies to recognise your fingerprints.
Mobile Phones with a Fingerprint Scanner: The Optical Sensor
The oldest method is optical sensor scanning, which captures high-contrast 2D fingerprint images and then compares the unique patterns of each fingerprint. Mobile phones with a fingerprint reader using an optical sensor can easily be fooled and are therefore not secure.
Mobile Phones with a Fingerprint Scanner: The Capacitive Scanner
Capacitive scanners are a more modern and widespread option. A fingerprint scanner phone using this method compares the differences in electrical charge created by simply placing a finger on the reader. The more capacitors a scanner has, the safer it is and the more secure it is, thus eliminating the need to swipe your finger across the sensor.
i
Mobile phones with fingerprint scanners are no longer just for securing your device. You can use the fingerprint reader to log in to various apps, approve contactless payments or confirm app downloads in the AppStore.
Mobile Phones with Fingerprint Scanners: The Ultrasonic Scanner
The latest method is phones with ultrasonic fingerprint scanners. An ultrasonic pulse is transmitted against the finger that is placed over the scanner. Some of this pulse is absorbed and some of it is bounced back to the sensor, depending upon the ridges, pores, and other details that are unique to each fingerprint. Today, ultrasonic sensors are placed more and more under the screen of mobile phones.
Because of the increasing size of the displays on mobile phones, fingerprint readers are logically moving to the display in addition to or instead of the back of the phone. Currently, everything works on the principle of an older optical sensor or a newer ultrasonic sensor that can unlock the device even with a wet finger. The finger needs to be placed in the right place.
If you're wondering which display, processor or how big your phone's RAM should be, use our guide: How to choose a mobile phone.
Frequently Asked Questions before Choosing a Mobile Phone with a Fingerprint Scanner
Will Phones with Fingerprint Scanners work with a Finger Cut?
Modern phones with a fingerprint scanner do not compare the fingerprint of the whole finger, but fragments of it. Matching at least one part of the fingerprint is enough to unlock the phone. Multiple saved scans of the same finger can increase the scanning success rate. Wet fingers can reduce the success rate of capacitive readers.
Can a Mobile Phone with a Fingerprint Scanner be Fooled with a Photo or a 3D Scan?
Phones with a fingerprint scanner, whether capacitive or ultrasonic, are programmed to respond only to the human body. Even with an exact photocopy of the fingerprint, the reader will not work.
Some Fingerprint Scanner Phones have a Reader on the Front, others on the Back. Is There a Difference?
The location of the fingerprint sensor does not affect its functionality. It is only a design solution.
Reader in the display
Reader on the back
i
Today, you can already find that you can unlock your phone using front-facing cameras and built-in sensors. These can work by reading your iris, recognizing your face, or performing a 3D scan straight away. However, it may not work well in low light conditions.
Hide description
Was this information useful?
This form is used only for evaluating the information in the description above. If you have any question about our products, services, transport or any other request, please contact our customer support.
What should be improved? Is anything missing here? Is anything wrong? Share it with us.
In the category Phones with Fingerprint Scanner on Alza.sk, we currently have a total of 1015 products, which you can easily buy online and get quickly delivered. See all of your purchases and make orders on our easy-to-use app.
We care about your privacyAlza.cz a. s., Company identification number 27082440, uses cookies to ensure the functionality of the website and with your consent also to personalisage the content of our website. By clicking on the “I understand“ button, you agree to the use of cookies and the transfer of data regarding the behavior on the website for displaying targeted advertising on social networks and advertising networks on other websites.
More informationLess info
We use 8 categories of cookies on our website:
Technical cookies
These are strictly necessary for the functioning of the website and the features you choose to use. Without them, our website would not work; you wouldn't be able to log in to your user account, for example.
Functionality cookies
These cookies allow us to remember your basic choices and improve the user experience. These include remembering your preferred language or allowing you to stay logged in permanently.
Social media cookies
These cookies allow us to easily link you to your social media profile and, for example, allow you to share products and services with your friends and family.
Content personalisation
These cookies allow us to show you content and ads according to the information we have about you to best meet your needs. This includes what content you have viewed, or on what device you are accessing our website.
Non-personalised advertising
These cookies allow us to show you general ads for products and services.
Personalised advertising
Thanks to these cookies, we and our partners can offer you relevant products and services based on your purchases, your shopping behaviour and your preferences.
Audience metrics
These cookies allow us to optimise our site for your convenience based on how you use it. The aim is to remember or anticipate your choices. This includes, for example, the use of features, their location, or the behaviour on the page.
Third party cookies
These are third party cookies, and you can find out more about them and our partners here.
By giving your consent to the processing of cookies, functionality and analytical cookies will be installed on the device you use to browse the website (click on the "I understand" button for both categories, or you can select only one of the categories by clicking on the "Settings" button). We always install technical cookies on your device, even without your explicit consent, because without them our website would simply not work.
You can revoke your consent to the processing of cookies. In connection with our company's cookie processing, you also have the following rights: the right to access cookies, delete, modify, supplement and correct them, restrict processing and the right to lodge a complaint with the Office for Personal Data Protection. Read more about your rights.