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Here is how the iris scanner on the Galaxy Note 7 works

posted by Nick T. / Aug 08, 2016, 7:45 AM

Here is how the iris scanner on the Galaxy Note 7 works

It is a decade-old spy movie cliché – a special agent walks up to the locked door of a super-secret, high-tech facility. One quick eye scan at the terminal, and a robotic voice informs them that they have been recognized. They are allowed to enter. Alas, as awesome as they may appear, much of the gadgets and technologies shown in James Bond flicks aren't real (or at least we're pretty sure they don't make rocket-firing BMWs). Retina and iris scanners, on the other hand, exist beyond the realm of science fiction.

This brings us to the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. We doubt it classifies as a spy-grade smartphone since it won't be able to deflect bullets, shoot lasers, or self-destruct in dire situations. However, it does have an iris scanner. And that's actually pretty cool – technology that was once only seen in sci-fi movies is now at the general consumer's disposal. So, let us explore how iris scanners do their magic and how they compare to other, more familiar security solutions.

How do iris scanners work?

Fun fact: having eyes of two different colors is a real condition. It is called heterochromia iridum and is found in less than 1% of the world's population. Brown is the most common eye color, while green, amber, and silver are three of the rarest.

The iris is the part of your eyes determining their color

The iris is that beautiful part of the eye that determines the eye's color. If you look at yours from up close, you'll notice the intricate, wavy lines on its surface, spanning in and out, from its outer to its inner perimeter. These lines form a pattern, and that is what an iris scanner "reads" to tell that you are you. This series of lines and waves is highly complex. It generates randomly and doesn't change with time. Therefore, it is safe to say that every person's eye is unique. Even your left and right eye have their individual iris patterns!

But an iris scanner doesn't just take a picture of your eye to compare against whatever it has on record. In actuality, the procedure starts with a beam of near-infrared light directed at the person's eye. This kind of light works better than visible light since it exposes the pattern of the iris much more clearly, thus making it easier for a camera to capture it. Besides, it allows the iris scanner to work in the dark. Prescription glasses and contact lenses (not colored!) do not block the beam either. Once the image has been recorded, an intelligent piece of software translates the iris' pattern into code. This code is then compared against a record in search of a match.

The process of iris scanning on the Galaxy Note 7

How is the Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner special?

To a great extent, the Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner works as described above. Yet one curious detail is that the phone has a separate, dedicated camera at the front, and its job is solely to perform the iris readings. It is aided by an LED shooting near-infrared light at the user's face. Why can't the front-facing camera do the iris scanning job instead? Well, because it isn't suitable for the purpose. First of all, the camera doing iris scans needs to be very sensitive to the aforementioned beam of special light. In traditional cameras, IR light is filtered because it interferes with standard photographs. Also, the dedicated scanning camera has a narrower angle of view in order to "see" the user's eyes better, especially at a distance.

On the Galaxy Note 7, from left to right, we see a near-IR LED light, the regular front-facing cam, and the dedicated iris-scanning camera

Sounds cool, but is it safe?

Some have expressed concerns about whether the iris scanner on the Galaxy Note 7 is safe to use – whether its frequent use could cause permanent eye damage. These concerns are legitimate, as performing a scan involves shining a beam of light straight at your eyes. Normally, visible light that is too bright causes the eye's pupil to contract, which in turn limits the amount of light hitting the retina. However, most of what is emitted by the Note 7's near-IR LED is invisible, hence it enters the eye pretty much unobstructed.

Now, we can't be 100% sure that frequent use of the Note 7's iris scanner won't have some effect on one's vision. Only a thorough testing of the technology could possibly give a definite answer. Still, we highly doubt that the scanner would cause any harm if it is used correctly. Samsung clearly warns against holding the phone too close to the face while the iris scanner is doing its thing.

Do not hold the Galaxy Note 7 too close when scanning your iris, Samsung warns

So, what are those retina scanners I've heard of?

Retina scans must be performed from a very close distance, as this Half-Life scientist demonstrates

There's some confusion we need to clear up: iris scanners and retina scanners are two similar, yet different technologies. Yes, they both recognize a person by scanning their eye, but it is different parts of the eye that they scan. You already know what your iris is – the part that determines your eye color. The retina, however, is inside your eye. It is the layer of tissue that transforms light into visual information.

Without a doubt, iris scanners are a lot more convenient for every-day use in mobile devices. Scans take just a moment and can be performed from a comfortable distance. Retina scanners, on the other hand, have to "look" inside a person's eye to produce a reading. Imagine how silly you'd look if you have to stick your phone to your face each time you have to unlock it.

But what's the point of it all?

Will iris scanners like the Note 7's replace fingerprint readers?

Now, some of you will point out that we already have fingerprint readers. They are fast, reliable, secure, and cheap enough to implement on sub-$200 smartphones. Why do we need iris scanners then? Well, they can be seen as safer and more reliable in a way or two.

The downside of fingerprints is that they are easier to obtain and replicate – we leave them on every solid surface that we touch. On top of that, wet and dirty fingers can be hard to recognize. Obtaining a high-resolution copy of someone's iris, however, is much more difficult. Obtaining one without that person knowing is practically impossible. And since our eyes are always clean and naturally protected, readings are easier to perform.

Still, we're not expecting the iris scanner on the Galaxy Note 7 to be an instant hit. Yes, it works, and you'll be the coolest guy in the office for having one on your phone, but for most people, fingerprint readers are already good enough of a solution. Don't get us wrong – we're happy to know that we have an alternative to the traditional fingerprint reader, but this alternative is not necessarily better. The iris scanner on the Galaxy Note 7 is sufficiently fast, but works only within 25 to 35 centimeters (about 10 to 14 inches) away from the user's face. Besides, you're required to be looking at your Note 7 in order to unlock it. Because of these limitations, many Note 7 owners might choose to stick with the "old-fashioned" fingerprint scan.

Yet as we know, technology evolves at a blazing pace. Samsung is not the first company to launch a phone with an iris scanner, but it could become the first to launch a phone with an iris scanner that is actually good. And if the scanner does leave room for improvement, its implementation in the Galaxy Note 7 could lead to perfecting the technology for use in next-generation mobile devices. Guess we'll have to wait and see how things go. On a related note, we already had the chance to take Samsung's beast for a spin, so check out our Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on impressions. Meanwhile, below is our demo of the phone's iris scanner in action.

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28 Comments

1. swarai

Posts: 88; Member since: Aug 07, 2014

Illuminati is finally here

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 8:39 AM 6

9. MrLove

Posts: 28; Member since: Jul 05, 2016

Another useless gimmick. Samsung full of gimmicks and bloatwares.

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 10:09 AM 4

11. John-Knotts

Posts: 380; Member since: Feb 28, 2015

Until Apple does it right? STFU...

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 10:34 AM 36

24. uzimafioso

Posts: 469; Member since: Jul 15, 2014

Don't care about applies and oranges but this will be damn inconvenient during driving, etc.

posted on Aug 08, 2016, 1:20 PM 0

15. aBoss

Posts: 164; Member since: Sep 15, 2014

I would rather have "gimmicks" and "bloatware" than a brick with large bezels known as the iphone.

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 6:42 PM 24

16. kevin91202

Posts: 642; Member since: Jun 08, 2014

And funny looking strips of plastic pasted all over the back of the ifone.

posted on Jul 07, 2016, 7:56 AM 7

2. kryme

Posts: 469; Member since: Oct 24, 2013

Question does this work at night wen u lay up in bed

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 8:56 AM 2

3. Xperia14

Posts: 1208; Member since: Sep 01, 2015

"the procedure starts with a beam of near-infrared light directed at the person's eye. This kind of light works better than visible light since it exposes the pattern of the iris much more clearly, thus making it easier for a camera to capture it. Besides, it allows the iris scanner to work in the dark." So, yes.

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 8:59 AM 12

4. Nick_T

Posts: 187; Member since: May 27, 2011

Yes, the phones with iris scanners we've tested work in the dark.

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 9:00 AM 9

5. tedkord

Posts: 17473; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Yep, it's reading in near infrared, which isn't a visible wavelength.

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 9:03 AM 5

12. avalon2105

Posts: 352; Member since: Jul 12, 2014

Technically "near" infrared is still in visible part of the EM specter. It could be some sort of marketing gimmick, if not it is probably red light (620-750nm). Near infrared (just like near ultraviolet) actually covers a lot of visible specter. Near infrared covers all the way to green light.

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 12:02 PM 0

6. Mreveryphone

Posts: 1849; Member since: Apr 22, 2014

So the question is how will this be implemented? Will I still have to press the home button to wake the device up or will I just need to pick the phone up and hold it to my face without pressing anything???

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 9:34 AM 2

22. SupermanayrB

Posts: 1188; Member since: Mar 20, 2012

The former unless there's a setting to wake by motion.

posted on Aug 08, 2016, 10:23 AM 0

30. smartassphone

Posts: 6; Member since: Jul 31, 2010

Not unless. Smart. You really want the infrared firing every time you move the phone? Happy battery life.

posted on Oct 05, 2016, 6:04 AM 0

7. Barney_stinson

Posts: 672; Member since: May 30, 2016

Hey!! Do check out iris scanners on lumia' with latest builds!! Its fast close to fp sensor speed!!

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 9:45 AM 1

8. Vanliewn

Posts: 65; Member since: Oct 03, 2015

So what happens if you wear contact lenses?

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 9:45 AM 1

14. raywonder

Posts: 30; Member since: Apr 11, 2016

So what happens if you actually read the article and it addresses this very question?

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 2:35 PM 11

27. eN16HTMAR3

Posts: 253; Member since: Oct 08, 2013

LMFAO!

posted on Aug 09, 2016, 3:48 PM 0

10. XDAdam

Posts: 276; Member since: Feb 03, 2016

Let's see how fast it unlocks the phone. It needs to be just as fast as the fingerprint reader.

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 10:16 AM 1

13. pagal

Posts: 49; Member since: Jul 04, 2016

In 2016 slow and inconvenient, like the iPhone 5s. 2019 ...Redmi note 6 launched with iris scanner which unlocks the device in just 0.1s.

posted on Jul 06, 2016, 1:26 PM 1

17. EC112987

Posts: 1216; Member since: Nov 10, 2014

Seems a bit gimmicky and the fingerprint scanner is quicker.

posted on Aug 08, 2016, 8:28 AM 0

20. RELAXyougeeks

Posts: 24; Member since: Apr 07, 2015

You couldn't be more wrong. I've had the note since 8/2 and its MUCH faster. If you hold your phone normally, you can't even see the scan because it goes by so fast. Like 0.2 secs fast. Plus if your hands are wet, or you just ate a burger or ribs or whatever, you can get into your phone without having to go through the process of cleaning and drying your hands.

posted on Aug 08, 2016, 10:00 AM 0

23. EC112987

Posts: 1216; Member since: Nov 10, 2014

Lmaooo I wouldn't hold up my phone with greasy hands... you'd still have to wash your hands

posted on Aug 08, 2016, 10:24 AM 0

18. Kohai

Posts: 51; Member since: Jun 04, 2010

For most of activities is not very useful but if you want to lock specific files of your phone it could be better than a fingerprint. Also if this method is selectable by application, access to critical apps (ie banking) could be more secure. I find it interesting, lets see how it is implemented.

posted on Aug 08, 2016, 8:35 AM 0

19. kerginaldo17 unregistered

No so necessary. Till now we lived very well with fingerprint scanner.More practical and easy to use.And we pay for these "improvements ".

posted on Aug 08, 2016, 9:49 AM 0

21. RELAXyougeeks

Posts: 24; Member since: Apr 07, 2015

This article left out my favorite thing about the iris scanner: the fact that you can use it as a substitute for passwords for individual websites I LOVE it for sites that have ridiculous extra password parameters that make me go outside my normal group of passwords.

posted on Aug 08, 2016, 10:03 AM 0

26. AmirBudi

Posts: 88; Member since: Mar 21, 2014

"but works only within 25 to 35 centimeters (about 10 to 14 inches) away from the user's face" Only 14 inches ???

posted on Aug 09, 2016, 7:11 AM 0

29. smartassphone

Posts: 6; Member since: Jul 31, 2010

"We doubt it classifies as a spy-grade smartphone since it won't be able to deflect bullets, shoot lasers, or self-destruct in dire situations." ahhh, but that's where they were wrong. The ever amazing Note 7 proved that it could indeed "self-destruct" and take out a nice Jeep or two in the process. Never underestimate the will and engineering of Samsung!

posted on Oct 05, 2016, 6:01 AM 0

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