- Google Pixel 9 Series is switching to an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner.
- It is the same sensor as you'd see on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra making it faster and reliable than optical reader.
- Pixel 9 Series is set to launch on August 13 - two months ahead of its usual launch timeline.
Google Pixel 9 series is arriving two months earlier than last year’s and we just found out they are switching to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. This comes from a story published by Android Authority according to whom, the switch guarantees more reliable biometrics than current-gen optical readers.
Pixel 9 Series Finally Getting an Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor
According to the tipster Kamila Wojciehowska, the Pixel 9 series will use the same ultrasonic reader as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra i.e. Qualcomm 3D Sonic Gen 2 (QFS4008) sensor. These sensors are pretty fast and work even when your fingers are wet.
Reports suggest the ultrasonic readers will be available across the whole Pixel 9 series except Pixel Fold 2 which will supposedly retain its side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Google Pixel 9 series is slated to launch on August 13th, two months earlier than the predecessors.
Google started using optical fingerprint scanners with the Pixel 6 series through the Pixel 8 series. These optical readers use light to illuminate the ridges on the fingers to recognize the pattern and grant access to the device. However, dirt or blemishes on the fingers or the display can cause issues in detecting the patterns.
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Switching to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor makes more sense as it doesn’t require a light source and rather uses ultrasonic pulses bounced off the fingerprints. Compared to the previous model, an ultrasonic reader can work well even at night or when there’s dirt on the fingers and it is significantly more reliable than the former.
