Android devices are getting a major fingerprint scanner update

Goodix’s new “Ultrasonic Fingerprint Solution” aims to revolutionize the market with a cutting-edge sensor that works accurately even with dirty hands, now available in in vivo smartphones.

Chinese technology corporation Goodix is introducing groundbreaking under-screen fingerprint scanning technology that promises to simplify the integration of ultrasonic sensors in smartphones. The innovative “Ultrasonic Fingerprint Solution” has debuted on in vivo smartphones as part of an effort to “encourage widespread adoption” of the technology. It is worth noting that this technology allows accurate fingerprint scanning even when fingers are dirty or wet.

Optical scanners, the oldest type, capture fingerprints by taking a photo and converting it to a digital format for verification. However, they have drawbacks, such as inaccurate readings when fingers are wet or dirty and being susceptible to counterfeiting. Capacitive scanners, on the other hand, are smaller, more compact and less susceptible to counterfeiting, but also suffer from inaccurate readings depending on the condition of the finger.

Ultrasound scanners, the newest and generally more expensive option, can be built under the device’s screen. They emit ultrasonic pulses to the finger, which are reflected back to the sensor, creating a 3D image for verification. A significant advantage is that ultrasonic pulses can penetrate surface contaminants such as dirt, oil and moisture, ensuring accurate scanning in all conditions.

Until now, Qualcomm was the only company producing large-scale ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanners, which were usually reserved for flagship devices due to their high cost. Now Goodix, a supplier of fingerprint sensors, has unveiled an “Ultrasonic Fingerprint Solution” that significantly reduces costs.

(source: SHUTTERSTOCK)

“In collaboration with vivo, the solution has been commercialized at scale for the first time, marking a milestone in the widespread adoption of ultrasonic fingerprint technology,” Goodix said in a post on its official blog. With the launch, the company intends to promote global adoption of ultrasonic fingerprint scanners by increasing their reliability and production efficiency, optimizing the supply chain and ultimately reducing sensor costs.

Additionally, Goodix notes that Goodix’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensors feature a low-voltage drive system combined with a simple hardware design, which should facilitate easier integration with smartphones. Given that Goodix’s under-screen optical fingerprint sensors are widely used in the industry, it will be interesting to see if the company can achieve similar success with its ultrasonic sensors.