By Mobile tech 
The Development of Fingerprint Sensor Technology
Fingerprint sensors have become one of the most popular and convenient security technologies on smartphones. Since its debut on the iPhone 5s in 2013, this technology has undergone many great advances, from the traditional sensor integrated into the Home button, to the fingerprint sensor under the screen and super sensor technology. advanced sound. This advancement not only improves security but also enhances the user experience, making phone unlocking faster and easier.
Types of Fingerprint Sensors on the Market
Fingerprint sensor technology on phones is currently divided into three main types: optical sensors, capacitive sensors and ultrasonic sensors. Each type of sensor has its own advantages and disadvantages, along with technical developments to meet increasing security and aesthetic needs.
1. Optical Sensor
Optical sensors work by illuminating the user’s finger and capturing an image of the fingerprint. This technology is quite simple and low cost, but is easily fooled by fake fingerprint images. However, manufacturers have improved the security of optical sensors by incorporating more advanced image processing algorithms for accurate fingerprint recognition.
2. Capacitive Sensor
Capacitive sensors are the most common type of sensors on phones today. Instead of capturing an image of the fingerprint, the capacitive sensor measures the electrical charge at different points on the finger to create a detailed 3D fingerprint map. This sensor has higher security and is more difficult to counterfeit than optical sensors. Capacitive sensors are often integrated into the home button or power button of the phone.
3. Ultrasonic Sensor
Ultrasonic sensor is the most advanced fingerprint sensor technology today. It works by using ultrasound waves to scan fingerprints, creating an extremely detailed and accurate 3D map. Ultrasonic sensors can work well even when fingers are wet or dirty, something that is difficult to achieve with optical and capacitive sensors. Samsung has pioneered the use of ultrasonic sensors on the Galaxy S series, providing high security and great user experience.
Fingerprint Sensor Under Screen
One of the important advances in fingerprint sensor technology is the appearance of the sensor under the screen. This not only helps save space on the phone but also provides a more beautiful design, with an edge-to-edge screen without the need for a Home button or power button with integrated sensors. There are two main types of sensors under the screen: optical sensors and ultrasonic sensors.
1. Optical Sensor Under the Screen
The optical sensor under the screen works by emitting light from under the screen to scan the user’s finger. When your finger touches the sensor area on the screen, light will shine through and capture an image of the fingerprint. This is the most popular type of under-screen fingerprint sensor on mid-range phones because the price is lower than ultrasonic sensors.
2. Ultrasonic Sensor Under the Screen
The ultrasonic sensor under the screen uses ultrasonic waves to scan fingerprints even when fingers are not completely dry. This provides a smoother and more accurate experience than optical sensors. Samsung has applied this technology on high-end devices such as the Galaxy S21, providing high security and fast identification speed.
Applications and Benefits of Fingerprint Sensors
Fingerprint sensor technology does not stop at unlocking the phone but also has many other applications in daily life. Users can use fingerprints to authenticate online payments, log in to applications or protect personal data. Here are some important benefits of this technology:
1. Better Security
Fingerprint sensors provide a higher level of security than traditional passwords or PIN codes, because fingerprints are unique to each person and difficult to duplicate. This helps protect personal information and sensitive data on your phone safely.
2. Smooth User Experience
With fingerprint sensor technology, users can unlock their phone or authenticate transactions in just a few seconds without needing to enter a password or PIN. This enhances the usage experience and saves time.
3. Application in Mobile Payment
Mobile payment applications such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay all support fingerprint authentication, helping users make transactions quickly and securely. This technology is increasingly popular in the fields of finance and e-commerce.
The Future of Fingerprint Sensor Technology
The development of fingerprint sensor technology continues to advance further. In the future, we may see more flexible fingerprint sensors that can be integrated on many different surfaces besides the phone screen, from glass, metal to new materials. This technology will also become more secure and accurate, meeting the need for data protection and improving user experience.
Fingerprint Sensor – The Future of Phone Security
Fingerprint sensor technology on phones has undergone many significant advances, from capacitive sensors to ultrasonic and under-screen sensors. Not only providing higher security but also enhancing user experience, fingerprint sensors have become an indispensable part of modern mobile devices. In the future, we can expect further improvements to make this technology more and more perfect, meeting increasing security and aesthetic needs.
