Pixel 9 Series to Ditch Optical Scanner for Faster, Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor

Exciting news for Pixel fans! Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 lineup, set to be unveiled on August 13th, is rumored to sport a significant upgrade in the fingerprint sensor department. According to a new report, the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL will all ditch the optical in-display scanners used in previous Pixel phones and instead adopt Qualcomm’s advanced ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, the 3D Sonic Gen 2 (QFS4008).

This switch to ultrasonic technology promises several improvements for Pixel users. Unlike optical scanners, which rely on light to read fingerprints, ultrasonic sensors use sound waves to create a more detailed 3D map of your fingerprint. This translates to faster unlocking speeds, increased reliability, and the ability to function even when your fingers are wet or oily – a common concern with optical scanners.

Farewell to finicky fingerprint sensors? Pixel users have previously reported issues with the performance of the optical in-display scanners on Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 devices. The adoption of ultrasonic technology in the Pixel 9 series suggests Google is addressing these concerns and prioritizing a smoother user experience.

Pixel 9 Fold to retain side-mounted sensor: It’s important to note that the report claims the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (likely the successor to the Pixel Fold) will retain its side-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button. This is likely due to the different display technology used in foldable phones.

With the official unveiling just over a month away, Pixel fans can look forward to a potentially significant upgrade in fingerprint sensor technology with the Pixel 9 series. Stay tuned for more details as we inch closer to the August 13th launch event.

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