Android Devices to Receive Major Fingerprint Scanner Upgrade

Goodix's new "Ultrasonic Fingerprint Solution" aims to revolutionize the market with a cutting-edge sensor that functions accurately even with dirty hands, now featured in vivo smartphones.

The Chinese tech corporation Goodix is introducing a groundbreaking under-screen fingerprint scanning technology that promises to simplify the integration of ultrasonic sensors in smartphones. The innovative solution, "Ultrasonic Fingerprint Solution," debuted in vivo smartphones as part of an effort to "encourage widespread adoption" of the technology. Notably, this technology can accurately scan fingerprints 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 susceptibility to forgery. Capacitive scanners, on the other hand, are smaller, more compact, and less prone to forgery but also suffer from inaccurate readings depending on the finger's condition.

Ultrasonic scanners, the newest and generally more expensive option, can be embedded under the device's screen. They emit ultrasonic pulses to the finger, which bounce back to the sensor, creating a 3D image for verification. A significant advantage is that these ultrasonic pulses can penetrate surface contaminants like dirt, oil, and moisture, ensuring accurate scans in any condition.

Until now, Qualcomm was the only company producing ultrasonic under-screen fingerprint scanners at scale, and these were typically reserved for flagship devices due to their high cost. Now, Goodix, a supplier of fingerprint sensors, has unveiled the "Ultrasonic Fingerprint Solution," which significantly reduces costs.

"In collaboration with vivo, the solution has achieved its first large-scale commercialization, marking a significant milestone in the widespread adoption of ultrasonic fingerprint technology," Goodix stated in a post on its official blog. With this launch, the company aims to promote the global adoption of ultrasonic fingerprint scanners by enhancing their reliability and production efficiency, optimizing the supply chain, and consequently reducing sensor costs.

Additionally, Goodix notes that its ultrasonic fingerprint sensors feature a low-voltage drive system combined with a simple hardware design, which should facilitate easier integration into 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.