Finger scanners embedded in the display? Synaptics’ under-glass sensor goes into sampling

posted by Daniel P. / Aug 30, 2016, 7:43 AM

It's on, people. The race for eliminating the finger-scanner-in-home-button paradigm, that is. Synaptics, the maker of all things 3D touch-y and biometric-y just announced a new 6x6mm Natural ID FS4500 fingerprint sensor that can be used with hefty cover glass on top.

Natural ID FS4500 under-glass finger scanner

That's right, the under-glass solution can function underneath a glass or ceramics layer that is as thick as 300um, which makes it a prime candidate for being placed in the type of new capacitive home keys that don't click, like on the HTC 10, or the one rumored for the iPhone 7. As per the Natural ID product page, it can "work underneath cover glass, making it possible to eliminate the home- button cutout. The result? Sleek, edge-to-edge touchscreens with no penetration of moisture or dust." Nice. The new under-glass sensor features include "ability to control two ‘soft keys' with the fingerprint sensor," which sounds a bit murky, but could eventually lead to a complete navigation solutions without the need for huge bottom bezels.

In addition, Synaptics is working towards the goal to incorporate the sensor under the smartphone's protective display cover itself, so in the future handsets might be all-screen down to the lower edge, without pesky chins to get in the way of your screen-to-body ratio, like what is speculated that the iPhone 8 will try to achieve. One Korean competitor has already created such a solution, but Synaptics has the advantage of being the biggest name here, and its under-glass Natural ID FS4500 fingerprint sensor is now sampling with customers, and expected to enter mass production as soon as Q4.

source: Synaptics

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13 Comments

1. Bm888

Posts: 517; Member since: Jul 06, 2015

the start of bigger displays phones with minimalist bezels.. like 6inch display being made to feel as 5. a plus for me

posted on Aug 30, 2016, 7:47 AM 6

3. vincelongman

Posts: 5747; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

Agreed Would love OEMs to improve screen to size ratio And also improving battery to size ratio as well :)

posted on Aug 30, 2016, 7:52 AM 0

6. neela_akaash

Posts: 1239; Member since: Aug 05, 2014

Now that's what you call innovation.

posted on Aug 30, 2016, 7:56 AM 0

7. Scott93274

Posts: 6040; Member since: Aug 06, 2013

All very exciting stuff. Now they just need to build speakers into the screen and we're all set.

posted on Aug 30, 2016, 8:44 AM 0

2. vincelongman

Yes please, under the display is the end game for fingerprint scanners Would mean finally no compromizing between front, back or side Qualcomm was supposedly close, but we haven't seen it working under the display yet

posted on Aug 30, 2016, 7:51 AM 0

4. JC557

Posts: 1925; Member since: Dec 07, 2011

I'd trust Synaptics to make this a reality in the really near future what with their expertize in touch based applications.

posted on Aug 30, 2016, 7:53 AM 0

5. catze86

Posts: 731; Member since: Dec 07, 2015

No, if the fingerprint malfunction because of the screen. You need to replace the whole screen. I dont like it.

posted on Aug 30, 2016, 7:54 AM 0

8. techlover2017

Posts: 65; Member since: Aug 22, 2016

Fingerprint scanner rarely malfunctions. If it does ,you don't need to replace the whole display instead you can easily replace it because it will not be sandwiched between the glass and display. Another advantage is that it will not scratch easily because of tuffer gg present on the whole display. The real dilemma is how Samsung will will use it? After all the home button is so dear to them.