Samsung Galaxy S5 To Include Fingerprint Reader – Report

The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone could feature a fingerprint sensor built into its home button, similar to the Touch ID feature included in the iPhone 5S. Sammobile said it could “confirm” the rumour, claiming the information came from ‘insiders’.

According to the report, “The sensor itself works in a swipe manner, which means that you would need to swipe the entire pad of your finger, from base to tip, across the home key to register your fingerprint properly.”

Biometric Security

It continued, “Also, you would need to keep your finger flat against the home key and swipe at a moderate speed or else it won’t recognize your fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor is sensitive to moisture, as well. So, don’t try to use it with wet fingers because it will, literally, give you an error and tell you to dry your fingers first.”

Users will be able to register up to eight fingers, the report added, but at least one finger must be registered to unlock the phone. As a user swipes his or her finger, the Galaxy S 5 will show a “real-time image of your fingerprint on the display.”

Additionally, users will be able to set up private folders and other content, such as widgets and apps, that will only be accessible with a finger swipe – or by unlocking the phone with a security PIN, said the report.

Useless Feature?

However some Apple 5S users have had difficulty using the Touch ID sensor. Apple said the new feature feature would enable users to log in more quickly but instead, many users find themselves waiting on TouchID and then being directed to the PIN prompt.

Other Speculated features of the Samsung Galaxy S5  include a 5.2-inch screen, a sharper display than the Galaxy S4, a better camera and an improved battery, while in January, Lee Young Hee, executive vice president of mobile at Samsung, said that Samsung investigated using eye-scanning technology.

The Galaxy S5, the report added, will be compatible with wearable devices, launch with an updated Galaxy Gear smartwatch and possibly be priced lower than the traditional $199 (£119) with a two-year contract.

Samsung has a press event, called Unpacked 5, planned for 24 February at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain. On Samsung Mobile’s YouTube site, the news is posted alongside nine app icons that likely offer a hit as to the smartphone’s areas of focus: speed, outdoor, curiosity, fun, social, style, privacy, fitness and life.

Think wearable tech could be the new black? Try our quiz on for size!