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Hands-On With the In-Screen Fingerprint Technology in the New OnePlus 6T
Back before the iPhone X came out, there were rumors suggesting Apple would do away with the Home button by implementing Touch ID under the display of the device, preserving the fingerprint sensor while allowing for an edge-to-edge display.
That didn't end up happening and Apple ultimately replaced Touch ID with Face ID, but since then, other companies have implemented in-display fingerprint recognition technology.
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OnePlus recently unveiled its new OnePlus 6T, one of the first commercially available smartphones in the United States that's using in-screen fingerprint recognition technology. We were able to get our hands on one of the new smartphones to see if Apple is missing out on anything with its Face ID implementation.
There are instances where a fingerprint sensor offers benefits over facial recognition. Face ID, for example, doesn't work well when you're laying in bed and the phone is held in landscape or when an iPhone is flat on a desk. With a fingerprint sensor, those are non-issues.
Fingerprint sensors have their own problems, though, and as we discovered with the OnePlus 6T, in-display fingerprint technology isn't as great as it sounds. OnePlus' implementation is slow and inaccurate, a major negative compared to Face ID.
With the OnePlus 6T, you need to make sure to place your finger in the designated spot on the display for your fingerprint to be recognized, and sometimes you need to hold it there for what seems like a long time before it reads the fingerprint. Touch ID and Face ID both unlock almost instantly, so the wait with the OnePlus 6T makes a huge difference.
Had Apple pursued in-display fingerprint technology its implementation might have been better than what OnePlus came out with, and there's still a chance the tech OnePlus is using will improve with software updates or future iterations, but we'll never know if Apple would have done it better.
Apple is all in on Face ID, which is now in both modern iPhones and iPads, and the company has said that other solutions, like in-screen or rear-facing Touch ID, were never under consideration once it decided to pursue Face ID.
Apple's Face ID technology is still so advanced that no other company, OnePlus included, has managed to match it as of yet. And in-display technology still has a ways to go, it seems, with most major Apple competitors instead opting for rear-facing fingerprint sensors as a way to achieve edge-to-edge displays.
Do you miss Touch ID and wish Apple would have worked towards an in-display fingerprint sensor, or do you prefer Face ID? Let us know in the comments.
That didn't end up happening and Apple ultimately replaced Touch ID with Face ID, but since then, other companies have implemented in-display fingerprint recognition technology.
OnePlus recently unveiled its new OnePlus 6T, one of the first commercially available smartphones in the United States that's using in-screen fingerprint recognition technology. We were able to get our hands on one of the new smartphones to see if Apple is missing out on anything with its Face ID implementation.
There are instances where a fingerprint sensor offers benefits over facial recognition. Face ID, for example, doesn't work well when you're laying in bed and the phone is held in landscape or when an iPhone is flat on a desk. With a fingerprint sensor, those are non-issues.
Fingerprint sensors have their own problems, though, and as we discovered with the OnePlus 6T, in-display fingerprint technology isn't as great as it sounds. OnePlus' implementation is slow and inaccurate, a major negative compared to Face ID.
With the OnePlus 6T, you need to make sure to place your finger in the designated spot on the display for your fingerprint to be recognized, and sometimes you need to hold it there for what seems like a long time before it reads the fingerprint. Touch ID and Face ID both unlock almost instantly, so the wait with the OnePlus 6T makes a huge difference.
Had Apple pursued in-display fingerprint technology its implementation might have been better than what OnePlus came out with, and there's still a chance the tech OnePlus is using will improve with software updates or future iterations, but we'll never know if Apple would have done it better.
Apple is all in on Face ID, which is now in both modern iPhones and iPads, and the company has said that other solutions, like in-screen or rear-facing Touch ID, were never under consideration once it decided to pursue Face ID.
Apple's Face ID technology is still so advanced that no other company, OnePlus included, has managed to match it as of yet. And in-display technology still has a ways to go, it seems, with most major Apple competitors instead opting for rear-facing fingerprint sensors as a way to achieve edge-to-edge displays.
Do you miss Touch ID and wish Apple would have worked towards an in-display fingerprint sensor, or do you prefer Face ID? Let us know in the comments.
[ 267 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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15 weeks ago
I miss Touch ID. To be honest, on those occasions when I do have to use my phone quickly while driving, Face ID has made me less safe. Typing in a six-digit passcode is very distracting when I'm wearing sunglasses that FaceID doesn't like.
15 weeks ago
I like my XS, but I do miss TouchID. There are so many instances (in bed, in the dark, Halloween, etc) where FaceID just doesn’t work, and it’s frustrating.
Yes, in optimal situations it works great. But when it doesn’t, it’s annoying.
I wish future iPhones could implement BOTH, but I know that would be costly and unlikely.
Yes, in optimal situations it works great. But when it doesn’t, it’s annoying.
I wish future iPhones could implement BOTH, but I know that would be costly and unlikely.
15 weeks ago
That is one of the major reasons why I am still using the iPhone 6s Plus. It had the best of everything. Touch ID and Earphone Jack. Those two things are a must for me when deciding on a phone. I have seen all the competitors but nothing has made when want to take out my sim from my unlocked iPhone 6s. Until that happen I will be in that ecosystem.
15 weeks ago
Face ID, for example, doesn't work well when you're laying in bed
==>
Really? I have no issues unlocking my Xs while lying down on the bed (towards left or right side).
And yes, I do not miss Touch ID whatsover. In fact I find it weird when I use Touch ID on my wife's iPhone.
==>
Really? I have no issues unlocking my Xs while lying down on the bed (towards left or right side).
And yes, I do not miss Touch ID whatsover. In fact I find it weird when I use Touch ID on my wife's iPhone.
15 weeks ago
I honestly think the reason why iPhone doesn't have Touch ID anymore is because apple could not get the under glass Touch ID in time in combination with Face ID. Then full steam ahead with "Face ID is the future / replacement".
Apple is famous for never going back, so doubtful we will ever see Touch ID in iPhone again, even though a combination of the two would be killer.
Apple is famous for never going back, so doubtful we will ever see Touch ID in iPhone again, even though a combination of the two would be killer.
15 weeks ago
FaceID has worked quickly and reliably for me. I expect a lot of notch hating on this thread but the notch doesn't bother me either. I also had a 6 Plus before this, and Touch ID also worked well, but for me Face ID has been faster and easier.
15 weeks ago
I miss Touch ID. To be honest, on those occasions when I do have to use my phone quickly while driving, Face ID has made me less safe. Typing in a six-digit passcode is very distracting when I'm wearing sunglasses that FaceID doesn't like.
I’m so glad that the safety of other road users and pedestrians is inconveniencing you. Ever heard of “Hey Siri?” Distracted driving is a killer. The last thing you should be doing is using a phone while driving. There is no excuse. No one needs to use their phone while driving. *Shakesheadindisbelief*
15 weeks ago
FaceID is an expensive addition to Apple mobile products ... TouchID was an inexpensive addition ... that's the main reason even the XR starts as high as $749 USD.
If Cook & Co want to RE-capture the true "mainstream" market, NOT strictly go after the High-End, they will need to offer a TouchID-based solution.
There is NO way around it.
Even a $749 iPhone is priced way above where most are willing to pay, even if they can afford it.
If Cook & Co want to RE-capture the true "mainstream" market, NOT strictly go after the High-End, they will need to offer a TouchID-based solution.
There is NO way around it.
Even a $749 iPhone is priced way above where most are willing to pay, even if they can afford it.
15 weeks ago
I find Face ID in no way an improvement over Touch ID, full stop. I otherwise like my iPhone X, but in my opinion and experience Face ID is just not better.
I will never be convinced that Face ID wasn't a fallback feature when they couldn't get Touch ID under the screen to work, and then they heavily touted it as the new better thing, but the RDF just didn't work here.
I so wish I could still unlock my phone by discreetly resting my finger on it, without having to position it in a specific orientation in front of my face.
I will never be convinced that Face ID wasn't a fallback feature when they couldn't get Touch ID under the screen to work, and then they heavily touted it as the new better thing, but the RDF just didn't work here.
I so wish I could still unlock my phone by discreetly resting my finger on it, without having to position it in a specific orientation in front of my face.
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