This is an archive article published on May 16, 2018
Honor 10’s ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner: Here’s how it works
Honor 10 has an under-glass fingerprint sensor, which the company claims is more precise than the first-generation of ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner.
Honor 10 sports the second-generation ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner. Here’s how it works.
Honor 10 has been made official, taking place as the company’s newest mid-range flagship of 2018. From the design to cameras, Honor 10 manages to stand out from the crowd. But one thing that truly makes the handset unique is the presence of an under-glass fingerprint sensor. Instead of being present on the rear or embedded right into the home button on the front of the phone, it now sits on the bottom bezel, but under the glass. This is the first time this type of solution has been made available on a mass-market device like the Honor 10 smartphone.
“We and Qualcomm worked together on an ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint sensor”, George Zhao, President of Honor, told Indianexpress.com on the sidelines of the launch of the Honor 10 here in London. “This is the new-generation of ultrasonic under glass fingerprint sensor”, he said.
Zhao said the first-generation of ultrasonic under glass fingerprint scanner was not good; it had a lot of sensitivity issues and hence the reason why they never incorporated the solution into their phones. “We did a lot of tests internally, but the results were not as good as we initially hoped. So we finally decided not to choose the solution,” he explained. Xiaomi’s Mi 5s was the first smartphone in the market to use Qualcomm’s ultrasonic-based fingerprint sensor technology, though the device was limited to the Chinese market. Honor 10 is being introduced globally, including in India and Europe.
Honor claims the second-generation ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner is more precise and that it should do a decent job in recognising wet fingers. To make sure an ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner works fine on the Honor 10, Zhao said the company spent a long time to fine tune the experience.
Such technology is more difficult to implement, plus an under-glass fingerprint sensor is also more expensive than a regular fingerprint scanner you will see on most modern smartphones. Though the solution is not the same as the in-display fingerprint sensor that can be seen on Vivo’s X21UD and Huawei’s own Porsche Design Mate RS.
Honor claims the second-generation ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner is more precise and that it should do a decent job in recognising wet fingers.
Asked the reason why the company went for an under-glass fingerprint scanner, instead of the in-display fingerprint sensor, Zhao said,”Today, for the in-screen fingerprint sensor, the sensitivity is pretty low. That’s probably the reason why we choose an ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner over the in-display fingerprint sensor.” The phone also features facial recognition technology to unlock the device, in case if the fingerprint scanner doesn’t work. The Honor 10 is already available in India, and costs Rs 32,999.
Disclaimer: The correspondent is in London, attending the launch of Honor 10 at the invite of Honor India
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
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Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
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Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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3 min read
Honor 10 sports the second-generation ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner. Here’s how it works.
Honor claims the second-generation ultrasonic under-glass fingerprint scanner is more precise and that it should do a decent job in recognising wet fingers.
