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Samsung patent depicts in-display fingerprint sensor; could it be for the Galaxy S10?

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By Joshua Swingle

Published: Oct 18, 2018, 7:55 AM

Samsung patent depicts in-display fingerprint sensor; could it be for the Galaxy S10?

The Samsung Galaxy S9 with its more traditional rear-facing sensor

While the Galaxy S9 may have been only a minimal update over last year’s Galaxy S8 in the looks department, Samsung is expected to go all-out with the Galaxy S10 in the hope of improving sales and commemorating the tenth anniversary of the smartphone line.

One of the most rumored Galaxy S10 features until now has been an optical fingerprint sensor, as included in Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro and the upcoming OnePlus 6T. And today, an updated patent published in South Korea depicts one possible implementation that could make its way into the flagship.

As seen on other smartphones that include the tech, Samsung’s sensor will be limited to just one small area on the display that coincides with where a user’s thumb tends to naturally rest. Much like Samsung’s virtual home buttons, this surface will also be pressure-sensitive, presumably so the phone can inform users as soon as it unlocks, or if the fingerprint detected doesn’t match up.

The patent itself does depict the technology inside a familiar-looking phone. However, as this particular application was filed earlier this year – the original one dates all the way back to April 2017 – it likely isn’t indicative of the Galaxy S10’s design.

With the company's next flagship set to make its first official appearance in February, Samsung is expected to finalize the smartphone’s design during the months of November and December. Once this happens, a steady stream of leaks will likely commence.

Samsung in-display fingerprint scanner patent

source: WIPO via GalaxyClub (translated)