Report: In-Display Fingerprint Scanner Market Grew Eightfold in 2019

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Global shipments of fingerprint-on-display (FoD) sensors grew nearly eightfold in 2019, according to tech market research firm Omdia (via DigiTimes).

iPhone 12 TouchID Feature Img 1

A total of 228.3 million FoD sensors were shipped in 2019, up 674% from 29.5 million in 2018, said Omdia. With FoD sensors having reached the sweet spot for market pricing, FoD shipments are expected to continue rising at a tremendous rate in 2020, expanding to more than 400 million units, Omdia indicated.

Apple stopped using its capacitive Touch ID sensor in its flagship iPhones when it introduced Face ID in 2017's iPhone X, which ditched the Home button in favor of an extended screen.

Apple has since pushed ahead with ‌Face ID‌, adding it to every flagship ‌iPhone‌ since, and even including it in the iPad Pro. Meanwhile, most other smartphone brands have adopted fingerprint-on-display scanners as an advanced biometric identification technology to replace capacitive fingerprint chips. More than 70 smartphone models integrated FoD in 2019, according to Omdia.

Despite Apple's decision to move away from the technology in favor of face recognition, rumors persist about the company's interest in using under-screen fingerprint scanners in its mobile devices. Just last month we heard a report that Apple could feature the technology in an ‌iPhone‌ by 2021, while an anonymous leaker with a fairly accurate track record claimed Apple is developing a new iPad Air with under-the-screen ‌Touch ID‌.

Those rumors also lined up with reports last year from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Barclays analysts, Bloomberg, and others who said they expect Apple to release an ‌‌iPhone‌‌ with both ‌Face ID‌ and under-display fingerprint authentication in 2020 or 2021.

Apple has explored various in-display fingerprint scanner solutions in the past, including fingerprint sensing MicroLED displays, but has not developed in-screen fingerprint technology for a consumer device. Meanwhile, ‌‌Touch ID‌‌ has found a new lease of life on Apple's MacBook keyboards and the latest-generation iPhone SE.

With rumors suggesting Apple is working to gradually reduce the size of the notch housing the TrueDepth sensor, which powers ‌Face ID‌, the most likely scenario is a biometric authentication system that combines both facial and finger sensing tech, enabling a future all-screen device featuring unparalleled mobile security.

Tag: digitimes.com

Top Rated Comments

TiggrToo Avatar
TiggrToo
33 months ago

I think the perfect median for consumers would be offering both Face ID and some variant of touch ID embedded under the display, But I question if Apple values having both biometric scary options offered on one device, especially given how much R&D has been invested in face ID and it’s continual improvements. For now, I think Apple will continue to keep face ID being the primary, unless they see a reason fit to offer both touch ID/Face ID coinciding together on the same phone.
If nothing else, the need to have something that works when the user has a facemask on may have potentially shifted priorities towards a dual biometric solution.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goobot Avatar
goobot
33 months ago
An in-screen fingerprint scaner on iPhone 12 would be an instant buy for me.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kazmac Avatar
kazmac
33 months ago
When Apple remove the notch and add the in display fingerprint scanner, I’ll consider looking at a newer iPhone IF no PWM, small model available and reasonable price.

I enjoy my new SE and see no reason to move to a more modern iPhone.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
44267547
33 months ago
I think the perfect median for consumers would be offering both Face ID and some variant of touch ID embedded under the display, But I question if Apple values having both biometric scary options offered on one device, especially given how much R&D has been invested in face ID and it’s continual improvements. For now, I think Apple will continue to keep face ID being the primary, unless they see a reason fit to offer both touch ID/Face ID coinciding together on the same phone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Surfer13134 Avatar
Surfer13134
33 months ago
From someone that owns both iPhone with Face ID and Samsung devices with underscreen fingerprint readers I pray Apple does not go strictly to Touch ID under the glass. Yes the readers work on my Samsung phones but boy are they inconsistent. One time they work great while the other time it won't let you in. Fingers have a small smudge of dirt or oilly or to dry? Yea, your finger won't register. Face ID just works. Now if they do a combination of both Face ID and Touch ID that would be cool, so you can use the finger print reader of you have something like a mask covering your face and then Face ID if you have gloves on etc but I doubt that would happen as it would probally raise the price to much having 2 types of biometrics on board.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xxray Avatar
xxray
33 months ago
I don’t understand why these are so popular now. They are less reliable, slower, less secure, and more expensive compared to just a regular fingerprint sensor that could be put on the side or back of the phone.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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