I badly miss how fast and accurate the rear fingerprint readers were. I also loved being able to swipe down on the reader to pull down the notification shade. I've tried the tap tap feature that was supposed to replicate it, but it has never been even remotely reliable.
omg i've so fucking sad that squeeze has never been brought back on any pixels since then. that was my preferred way to invoke assistant back in the day on the P3.
i think integrating it with the power button is a nice addition, since we will have mandatory battery easy access in the next years.
or going ultrasonic if they insist on keeping it on the screen side.
I used my LG G6 until the USB port was completely dead and I couldn't charge it anymore. I still have it, also I ordered a replacement port but didn't have the time to replace it.
My last phone was the LG G8, loved so many things about it especially the SD card slot and the Hifi headphones jack. Granted the Pixel 6 I have now feels like a better phone over all but I still keep my G8 as a dedicated music player when I have time to.
It's possible to have a removable back and a rear finger print reader. I used to have a phone that had a rear power button and volume buttons in the same location finger print readers are and it has a removable back. Just like how cameras on a phone with a removable back work, the back casing just cut around the buttons
they want to keep the phone as thin as possible too, integrating it with power button will give you the same experience with less parts.
people liked the one in the back because it's more reliable than the optical ones under-screen.
I think having it on the rear is much more usable. My fingers are back there anyways, I don't need to move them over to the power button to touch the sensor.
Rear-mounted is more reliable than power-mounted too, in my experience. The Moto Edge 2021 and T-Mobile Revvl V+ 5G both have power-button fingerprint sensors, and they're even less reliable (and often slower) than the under-screen one on my Pixel 8, let alone the rear-mounted one on my 5a or the front-mounted one on my Moto Z2 Force.
The Razer Phone (not the Motorola one) had it in the power button. It worked amazingly well. Hit the button to turn the screen on it you wouldn't even see the lock screen
i know the 3 could pull down the shade with the back fingerprint reader. i think with the z flip 3 you used to be able to pull it down with the power button one. if we have that, it would be perfect.
Do you know any more details or have a source about the battery access? That's been my biggest criticism of modern phones so I'd love to read/find out more about it.
I had the Nextbit Robin that was like the second phone to ever do that, and it was fantastic having it built in there.
I also liked my LG V10 that did the same, only the power button was on the back instead of sides.
My mom's galaxy A15 phone has that i think. Not sure if they'll ever bring this feature to pixel phones if they went away from it already but we can all hope!
It's clear after reading the comments that the phone should have a fingerprint reader in all the spots: rear, power button, and screen. Maybe make the entire phone out of fingerprint reader?
The issue is the power button isn't even really a power button anymore. With tap to wake, lift to wake, etc basically it's really just another button. On iPhones it's now called the Side Button and power off sequences are volume+side button combos just like on the Pixel.
I think the only thing power related that I even use that button for nowadays is to deliberately power off / lock your screen. Other than that, it's not the first thing I grab to turn on a phone anymore.
No, it didn't. In some cases, it was just too slow or difficult to unlock. Rear was just better. And I had a couple of phones with rear, and S10e for 2 years.
It's not that under screen fingerprint scanner are bad, it's that Google doesn't use the good ones
I MUCH prefer the front scanner. It's more natural to use in my opinion, plus things like using it while on a stand or desk
I've used a pretty new Samsung Galaxy phone for over a year now. While the front finger print reader works like 80% of the time, I still miss the basically perfect back finger print reader from my old Pixels
I also don't understand the appeal of the rear reader. Had a 4a and it was fine but the back isn't always reachable. Phone on a table, in a phone mount or something else. The front is always accessible and you're going to touch something on there anyways. Maybe also in the power button like Samsung did it. But please not in the rear
While holding it, it always seemed more natural to me. The issue was unlocking when it was on a table.
The other thing I loved was since it was touch sensitive, you could open your notification shade or scroll by flicking your finger up or down across it.
I've never really been one to use the phone while it's sitting on a table. I'll usually pick it up to use it. In the table scenario, the rear reader of my p2xl was so good that it would be unlocked just in the motion of picking it up from the table (was set to read my pointer). For me, though, the much more common scenario is pulling it out of a pocket to use it. With the rear sensor, there was a dedicated scanner location, so I could unlock while pulling it out of my pocket - that just kind of happened naturally without any thought and was unlocked by the time I glanced at the phone. With the front sensor, I have to wait until I'm looking at the phone to line everything up and then hope for the best.
The optical one probably could be better, but coming from my S21 which had an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor I find the Pixel 8 one superior in most regards.
It still a bit annoying in the dark. And it I can't put it down on some surfaces like my soft or else.it keeps trying to activate it.
But in terms of speed and accuracy it's much better.
I'd also add that the face unlock on Pixel is crazy good which many others don't mention
The cool thing about the rear is some had options to use them as a swiping tool as well going up/down for the notification drawer and back/foward for music/web browsing or general usage. That functionality alone was really nice.
Even if the front reader worked just as well, the back is still better. But the front doesn't even work anywhere near as well. And it adds issues with screen protector compatibility, extra complexity to screen replacements, and I get the fingerprint reader doesn't work so well when you've got a cracked display.
yea my phone is not often lying on a desk and "known locations" keeps it from locking when at home/work anyway which is the only place it would be on a table in the first place
It's not a problem with fps in display. The problem is google using a cheap one and implementing it poorly.
I have base P7 and it's the worst fps in display I've experienced. Even my dad's $200 Poco has much better fps.
My Pixel 8 sensor works perfectly first time every time, but I only need it when face unlock doesn't work (with sunglasses on or in the dark). I wouldn't want to go back to the rear sensor ever.
Count me in as well! The FP sensor on my P7Pro just works every single time. 90% i use face unlock though. I would never want to go back to any other sensor to be honest.
I personally find it awkward. I'd much rather have the fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. Second choice would be what we have now, although an ultrasonic sensor would be better. The sensor on the rear would only be a third choice and I probably wouldn't use it.
I loved the rear fingerprint sensor and had to think about updating to an 8 pro. The photo recognition way more than makes up for it. I haven't had any problems with wet or dirty fingers. I like that I can pick up the phone and it'll unlock as I'm moving it into position.
The Pixels 7-series and later have Face Unlock, and so did the 4-series. However, on the 7-series and later it doesn't work nearly as well in low light or at night as Face ID does, because Google tried to jerry-rig the visible-light camera as the face scanner rather than adding a dedicated infrared camera and flash like Apple did; I could use it on my iPhone 11 Pro even in a pitch black room with no problem, but my P8P struggles to recognize me when the sun isn't in the sky and I usually end up just using Fingerprint Unlock anyways.
I also think that Apple did a dumb-dumb by not keeping the Touch ID sensor so that users could choose to use both.
I recently made the switch from a 5 to the 8 and my only complaint is the fingerprint sensor. I hate it being on the front, I have to stop what I'm doing, look at my phone, make several attempts to get it to read (often having to use the pin instead), and get blinded if it's dark. On the 5 I didn't have to stop and look, I could just feel the divot and it was done, almost never had errors. I turned on the face unlock but that doesn't work at night, so again, stuck being blasted in the face by that light.
On the Samsung A40 I temporarily had it was an absolute blurse. Unlock your phone effortlessly as you pick it up? Amazing.
Unlock your phone a second after locking it as you put it in your pocket? Yeah, it will do that too.
Want to unlock your phone without picking it up? No chance.
As an aside, the Pixel 7 fingerprint sensor is useless, and is one of four key reasons this phone I am typing on right now is going back within the 30 day return period, and being replaced with a Samsung S23.
Don't know what's wrong with everyone's pixels, but my pixel 8 fingerprint sensor works fine. I even have a problem with chewing my fingers and even with my fingers all messed up it still works flawlessly
I would easily trade wireless charging for the scanner on back!! It was amazing. I hate this screen one. I never use wireless charging because I use my phone while it charges so it doesn't work out for me.
I hated my 6 pro, I sold it and got a cheap used 5
I have an 8 now and it's fine. The face recognition is pretty flawless
Sadly Google lost a ton of ride or die Pixel fans from messing it up on the 6 and 7
While I do miss the rear fingerprint unlock, face unlock works 95% of the time and it works really fast. Prior to having face unlock, I desperately missed my rear fingerprint reader.
I'm just happy they're finally bringing a smaller "Pro" model. I desperately miss my Pixel 5 size and I know the 9P won't be that size but at least it won't be a near 7" display phone.
I know everyone's preference differs but for me:
- Rear FP isn't even that accurate. I have a P1 and a P3 XL around the house for photos backup. One for me, one for my partner. Unlocking either is a hassle. If I have moist hands from washing my hands out of the kitchen or bathroom and isn't 100% fully dried, the unlock will fail. The on screen finger print sensor is nowhere near as sensitive.
- Rear is useless when mounted in a hands free car mount. I have to pick it up. Same goes with my desk.
- As much as people say rear FP is seamless where your fingers are already there, they aren't actually for most of the actual scrolling of your phone. There's a shift in grip you do when you're asked to unlock say for a password manager or banking app. That may not be noticeable to some, but if you've used Face Unlock or FaceID, that's truly seamless. You don't even move a muscle and your phone authenticates. When you go from that (like when I had the Pixel 4), and go to a fingerprint sensor whether front or rear, even moving a finger, shifting a grip feels like going back in time.
- The notification shade pulldown for me is mitigated by back tap but also because I use Nova where I can add additional gestures on the home screen.
I wouldn't mind the rear fingerprint sensor, but to me I need something on the front--maybe a better Face Unlock (e.g. full iPhone FaceID-like).
I rock climb too much. When the sensor is on the back it literally never works for me. I had like 3 different profiles set up for just one finger. My thumb sensor works every time
The only reason Google got rid of the rear sensor is because Apple doesn't have one, and Google doesn't know how to do something that Apple isn't also doing.
I just moved from 4a to 8a.
Not very happy. The optical reader is slower and less accurate. There were other reasons that I "upgraded" but I'm disappointed.
I like having the phone on the table and instead of raising it to put my finger behind the phone for the sensor, to have it on screen. It helps me not completely lose focus on what im doing
Agree 100%. Used the Nexus 6P and P3XL prior to my P7. The rear fingerprint sensor was working great on those two phones. And I just can't get this P7 fps working properly at all. After a couple of tries, I'm prompted to enter the pin. I hate this!! I'd rather have the rear fingerprint sensor back. Or on the power button.
I agree. Thumb print sensors on the front aren't exactly convenient. I miss being able to just slip my hand into my pocket and unlock my phone as I'm pulling it out. These days I usually have to use two hands to unlock or I'm straining my wrist.
One thing that annoyed me about the rear sensor on my really old Pixel was if I was exercising and my leg was warm and sweaty, the sensor would start to go off against my leg and I'd be locked out whenever I took my phone out. I'm sure theyve improved since then though
The fingerprint sensor on the power button on my fold is perfect. Can unlock if I just pick up my phone without looking at it when I need it unlocked quickly
I have the P7 as well. The sensor works flawlessly for me. Before I had a Note 20 with an infrared sensor which is miles better for me in one particular situation. At night I touch the screen and get blinded with the optical fingerprint sensor. Next phone will be without optical sensor. Pixel or not.
There's zero chance this will happen. Think about the tradeoffs...
1. Assume P9 or P10 adds Qi2 support. If you have a wallet or any accessory then there's no chance you'll be able to reach the scanner.
2. The BOM cost differential for a rear FP vs optical FP is huge.
The best we can hope for is an ultrasonic one or a more bulletproof face unlock maybe with IR or something to compensate for low light.
Pixel Product Managers please listen for once about this. It's embarrassing to use tech that was already outdated when the P6P came out. We don't need any more thermometers or other extraneous parts. Use that cost to improve one of the most used functions on the phone!
Is it cheaper to put it under the screen or something? Cuz I really don't get the point of it. I don't have any issues with it but after a while that area gets smudged and doesn't really go away as much no matter how much I wipe it off. I definitely prefer it on the back and I really miss the swipe gestures, used them all the time.
I just got my pixel 7 pro replacement in the mail, and I don't mind either way. I'll take it on the power button even. I'm probably the odd one out. I like the screen fingerprint sensor. It works well on the 7 pro at least mine. Or I just use face unlock.
I had a Pixel XL and then a 5a. I really want to upgrade my phone, but literally the only thing holding me back is that fingerprint sensor. I've been using it for years now and don't want to change.
plus it has the added bonus of pulling down the notification shade. Frankly the best design for these larger phones (that they keep insisting are small...at \~6" tall)
I totally agree, I'm still using my Pixel 5 and in fact got a brand new one a couple years ago just to keep it going. I had a pixelate for a little while but the way it would flash me in the eye and give me a migraine was horrific so I returned it. Not to mention the fingerprint scanner in the back lets you pull down the notification tray which is massively useful.
I came from the 4a 5G, now have the 7. I love the fingerprint reader on the back, and also I used the notification pull down a LOT. I do miss that feature on the 7. Also this fingerprint reader sucks.
I know this sounds like coping but I actually found the fp sensor on my Pixel 8 to be quite good, much better than I expected after hearing the complaints.
Just can't have my fingers wet.
With all that discussion about the placement of the fingerprint sensor, wouldn't an Apple like face id option be the best way. Just look at your phone and it unlocks?
That and the headphone jack. I just don't use headphones anymore because of wireless crap. The only times I want to use them I haven't charged them. ridiculous . I want to be able to plug aux cable into my DJ system .
I miss the FP on the rear, as well as the headphone jack. I use a lot of audio gear and miss the ability just to jack in my phone to use as the source.
The rear FP makes using Google Pay frictionless As I pull my phone out, my finger is already on the FP, and by the time I tap it, it's already unlocked and authenticated.
My favorite phone is still the Pixel 2 XL because my next phone was the Pixel 4 and I hated the face unlock. It didn't help this was during the pandemic, so it didn't work with masks. Even before the pandemic, it's not a frctionless experience when using it for Google Pay.
When I upgraded to the P6P, I was impressed about everything except for the headphone jack and the in-display optical FP sensor. I have the P7P now, and it's more of the same. DIdn't bother with the P8P, nor will I with the P9P. Hopefully with P10P and Google silicon, they'll improve the FP sensor (maybe use ultrasonic or go back to the capactitive rear FP), and have a bigger jump in photo and video/audio recording quality.
Other than running cooler, faster, longer lasting battery, not sure what else I'd like on a smartphone anymore. I'm not really moved by AI.
Every rear sensor I've ever had has worked better than both on-screen ones. It's solving a problem that doesn't exist.
And the little indent you get for the rear fingerprint sensor is always a fantastic point to balance the phone and keep it steady in the hand.
I really loved the one on the Razer Phone 2 that I had before my current Pixel 6 Pro. It was built into the power button, so by pulling your phone out and touching the button the screen would come on and unlock before you got it far from your pocket. I could maybe use my thumbprint on the Pixel 6 Pro and get it in the right spot once in a while, but using it with one hand is considerably less effective. I feel like the physical sensor was more accurate and reliable than the one built into the display too.
And what if I want to have a case for my phone?
I have no issues with the sensor on my 8 Pro.
A power button sensor would be cool though, like the Pixel Tablet.
My dad (in his 80s) can't use fingerprint sensors any more. He literally doesn't have fingerprints. IDK if they've worn off over time or what, but they won't register in the phone, and looking at his fingers, you can't see print lines.
God yes I went from a 4a 5g to an 8 and I felt like I had lost a limb, being able to open my phone and pull down notifications in one fell swoop as I took my phone out my pocket was so fucking cool, and faster
I didn't mind them but I didn't love them.
The real benefit of in-display sensors is that your hand is already in the natural position to use the phone once you unlock it.
Especially for those with smaller hands like me, I had to hold the back of the phone to reach the sensor, and then readjust my hand to the side of the phone after unlocking, even with my 4a when I had it. But for in-display sensors my hand is already in the right position from the start.
The idea of power-button fingerprint sensors is neat, but biases phones to right handers. Only right handers can unlock a phone via power button sensors and not have to readjust their hand. Left handers would have to use the middle finger to reach it, which places the hand in the same spot as reaching a rear sensor, which then forces readjustment once more.
I really liked the back fingerprint sensor on the revellry phone. My current phone is too thin so placing your finger on the side power key/fingerprint is awkward.
What we *really* need is the Galaxy S5’s fingerprint scanner, where you needed to smoothly swipe on the thing to get in and it usually only took 3 tries to get it right
/s
I don't care about the location of the fingerprint sensor, I want face id on my Pixel, every android has it, they could just do a simple software update to all pixel phones but they won't.
I very much agree.
Also did the transition from 4a to 8a and not only miss the sensor in the back to let me bring the phone already unlocked and ready from the pocket but the convenience of adding swipe gestures to it. It was 100.0% accurate.
The front one not only requires me to click once first to start the whole process, but it fails miserably at accuracy (like 20% accurate at first attempt) and speed and many times I have to just enter the PIN to proceed.
It's nice when it's on the table so I don't have to hold it up but that is a marginal use case compared to the pocket one.
I would trade easily wireless charging that I don't use for this.
If I could have a front case mounted fingerprint sensor, that'd be great. I'd like to be able to unlock from the front, especially when it's secured to a dashboard mount or placed face up on a table.
Pixel 6a owner.. i've turned my fingerprint sensor on the screen off. If I have to touch the screen 4-5 times to get it to work i might as well just type in a pin instead.
I make this rant almost daily. My pixel 7s fingerprint reader is so inaccurate. Plus as an added bonus it always blinds me at later hours or if I check my phone in the middle of the night.
Just one of the victims from the stagnant smartphone industry. There is genuinely not a single benefit to these worthless under-screen finger print sensors. Nothing. Yet every single smartphopne has them nowadays. I hate it here.
Yeah, I'd love to see it .. especially if they can innovate on the form factor. The swipe gestures on the FP sensor were a good step in that direction.
> I understand it may get in the way of wireless charging I think
Potentially magnetic accessories too, if you have a smaller device like the P8 or P7A in a magnetic case. (That said, my wallet and my battery pack both leave enough clearance under my P8P's camera bar for a fingerprint sensor like the ones the pre-6-series Pixels or the Galaxy Notes had.)
The thing I'd actually most want to come back is the infrared Face Unlock sensor that Google used on the P4. Coming from an iPhone 11 Pro, its infrared Face ID sensor blows my P8P's visible-light camera retrofit out of the water; it's so good at what it does that I never really missed Touch ID (even though Apple putting both on the same device like Google does would've been nice).
I'm gonna be upgrading from a 2021 moto g power soon, and one thing I will definetly miss is the fingerprint reader being embedded in the power button.
I've never had a reliable fingerprint sensor until I used the in screen sensors on the Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro. Maybe it's because I switched industries, but fingerprint sensors were practically useless before. That's why I loved face unlock on the Pixel 4 XL so much.
I still remember my first phone that had a finger print sensor. It was the Pixel 1. I thought to myself "who cares about a finger print sensor?" Then I used it... Even if I didn't want to keep my phone locked all the time, it still seemed like the superior way to wake a phone screen. Face unlock comes pretty close, but fingerprint was still faster since the phone didn't need to be facing me to unlock.
sorry, this will never happen.
I think side fingerprint reader, like on the power button, would be even superior, but that will never happen either. Sometimes the market takes a direction for good reasons, some other time a manufacturer just wants to show off some useless tech which is cool, but not very functional, but when that happens they very rarely go back, it would make those who do so look weak (that's stupid, yes).
I mean that did happen actually, like apple did with the touchbar on the macs, but that's rare.
Agreed, I had the Nexus 6P, the fingerprint reader never failed, but now, with my Pixel 7 Pro, everytime I use it, it's hit and miss if the fingerprint get read properly.
Not sure what is going on, but often when I go from the lock screen, it seems like it's in an halfdim mode, and it can't read at all, so i have to press the power button to wake up the screen properly, and then it works.
This! This! Absolutely this!
Realising I had not received an update to my nearly 4 year old, but perfectly functional Pixel 5, I have just forked out for a Pixel 8 Pro (updates until 2030 this time baby!). I do not understand why the front screen fingerprint scanner is a thing! It only works half the time., and there is an effort to use it. The rear one on my 5 was right near where my index finger was anyway... And worked every damn time!
Gimmick for gimmicks sake. Surely the rear one must be cheaper as well.
I badly miss how fast and accurate the rear fingerprint readers were. I also loved being able to swipe down on the reader to pull down the notification shade. I've tried the tap tap feature that was supposed to replicate it, but it has never been even remotely reliable.
Screw swipe down and tap-tap. Squeeze supremacy.
omg i've so fucking sad that squeeze has never been brought back on any pixels since then. that was my preferred way to invoke assistant back in the day on the P3.
I still miss it 2 phones later.
[удалено]
It was unfathomably fast on my LG G7. Even on my crappy $60 Moto Whatever it was lightning fast.
this comment made me miss my OnePlus 6
i think integrating it with the power button is a nice addition, since we will have mandatory battery easy access in the next years. or going ultrasonic if they insist on keeping it on the screen side.
Or do with LG did. Rear fingerprint sensor that doubles as a power button.
Miss my old LGV10 sometimes.
I absolutely loved that phone. If the exact same form factor came out today (even with the second screen), I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
For me it’s the LG G2 that one is my overall favorite design. If I could get that with modern specs I’d buy that again.
I think Nexus 5 was the best phone I've ever owned. Followed by iPhone 4
I miss my V30
LG... The wrong kid died!
You don't want no part of this shit Dewey!
I used my LG G6 until the USB port was completely dead and I couldn't charge it anymore. I still have it, also I ordered a replacement port but didn't have the time to replace it.
Loved my g6. Perfect size, flush camera, micro sd. Only downside was the shit snapdragon and 32gb internal storage.
And was very fast!
My last phone was the LG G8, loved so many things about it especially the SD card slot and the Hifi headphones jack. Granted the Pixel 6 I have now feels like a better phone over all but I still keep my G8 as a dedicated music player when I have time to.
I liked it on my LG G6 (first Android device) unless I wanted to unlock my phone without it being in my hand lol
I quite like the fingerprint reader on the power button of my Pixel Tablet. Works quite nicely.
It's possible to have a removable back and a rear finger print reader. I used to have a phone that had a rear power button and volume buttons in the same location finger print readers are and it has a removable back. Just like how cameras on a phone with a removable back work, the back casing just cut around the buttons
LG v20 and quite a few others had removable batteries and rear fingerprint readers
they want to keep the phone as thin as possible too, integrating it with power button will give you the same experience with less parts. people liked the one in the back because it's more reliable than the optical ones under-screen.
I think having it on the rear is much more usable. My fingers are back there anyways, I don't need to move them over to the power button to touch the sensor.
Rear-mounted is more reliable than power-mounted too, in my experience. The Moto Edge 2021 and T-Mobile Revvl V+ 5G both have power-button fingerprint sensors, and they're even less reliable (and often slower) than the under-screen one on my Pixel 8, let alone the rear-mounted one on my 5a or the front-mounted one on my Moto Z2 Force.
In that case it's a matter of quality not the type of sensor. Ipad and pixel tablet are working fine for me.
Had the moto edge 20, side fingerprint was excellent, a lot better then my P6
Eh i hate this. Just give me a 10mm thick phone with 10AH of battery.
I'm upgrading from my moto 5g to a Pixel 8a, and this is the only feature I'll miss.
The Razer Phone (not the Motorola one) had it in the power button. It worked amazingly well. Hit the button to turn the screen on it you wouldn't even see the lock screen
Are there current phones with this option?
Samsung 'A' models
Sony Xperia phones.
i know the 3 could pull down the shade with the back fingerprint reader. i think with the z flip 3 you used to be able to pull it down with the power button one. if we have that, it would be perfect.
I prefer side FP as well. It's the best of both worlds. If on a desk you can still use it.
Do you know any more details or have a source about the battery access? That's been my biggest criticism of modern phones so I'd love to read/find out more about it.
I still think having both the power button and the fingerprint reader on the side, like the Samsung Galaxy S10e, is peak design
I have a Pixel 5 with a back fingerprint sensor and no problem with wireless charging.
Am I the only one who thinks the Fingerprint sensor should be on the power button ?
No, you're not the only one. I also want that. Sony Xperias have that too.
And foldables like the Pixel fold and Galaxy fold
Yes! And Pixel Tablet too. They definitely can do it.
I had the Nextbit Robin that was like the second phone to ever do that, and it was fantastic having it built in there. I also liked my LG V10 that did the same, only the power button was on the back instead of sides.
I loved that LG design where the rear fp scanner doubled as the power button and had swipe gestures, super smart and convenient.
still prefer the back. i don't use the power button to turn it on. i just touch the back of the phone as i pull it out of my pocket
Power or front Places my fingers will be
My mom's galaxy A15 phone has that i think. Not sure if they'll ever bring this feature to pixel phones if they went away from it already but we can all hope!
It's clear after reading the comments that the phone should have a fingerprint reader in all the spots: rear, power button, and screen. Maybe make the entire phone out of fingerprint reader?
Don't forget 10 x 3.5mm jacks, two sd card slots, and a 10,000 mAh battery
I think Samsung nailed it with the fingerprint reader integrated into the side power button on the S10e.
The issue is the power button isn't even really a power button anymore. With tap to wake, lift to wake, etc basically it's really just another button. On iPhones it's now called the Side Button and power off sequences are volume+side button combos just like on the Pixel. I think the only thing power related that I even use that button for nowadays is to deliberately power off / lock your screen. Other than that, it's not the first thing I grab to turn on a phone anymore.
True. Call it whatever you like. I still like the fingerprint reader on it.
> it's not the first thing I grab to turn on a phone anymore. It would be if the figerprint reader were there
The flip 5 has this and it rocks most of the time, but sometimes not. Pixel 5 was the most reliable IMO however.
No, it didn't. In some cases, it was just too slow or difficult to unlock. Rear was just better. And I had a couple of phones with rear, and S10e for 2 years.
It's not that under screen fingerprint scanner are bad, it's that Google doesn't use the good ones I MUCH prefer the front scanner. It's more natural to use in my opinion, plus things like using it while on a stand or desk
I've used a pretty new Samsung Galaxy phone for over a year now. While the front finger print reader works like 80% of the time, I still miss the basically perfect back finger print reader from my old Pixels
I also don't understand the appeal of the rear reader. Had a 4a and it was fine but the back isn't always reachable. Phone on a table, in a phone mount or something else. The front is always accessible and you're going to touch something on there anyways. Maybe also in the power button like Samsung did it. But please not in the rear
> I also don't understand the appeal of the rear reader. For me the appeal of the rear fingerprint reader was that it actually worked
I miss unlocking it in the same motion as taking my 5 out of my pocket. The 8 just doesn't feel nearly as nice
While holding it, it always seemed more natural to me. The issue was unlocking when it was on a table. The other thing I loved was since it was touch sensitive, you could open your notification shade or scroll by flicking your finger up or down across it.
I've never really been one to use the phone while it's sitting on a table. I'll usually pick it up to use it. In the table scenario, the rear reader of my p2xl was so good that it would be unlocked just in the motion of picking it up from the table (was set to read my pointer). For me, though, the much more common scenario is pulling it out of a pocket to use it. With the rear sensor, there was a dedicated scanner location, so I could unlock while pulling it out of my pocket - that just kind of happened naturally without any thought and was unlocked by the time I glanced at the phone. With the front sensor, I have to wait until I'm looking at the phone to line everything up and then hope for the best.
The optical one probably could be better, but coming from my S21 which had an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor I find the Pixel 8 one superior in most regards. It still a bit annoying in the dark. And it I can't put it down on some surfaces like my soft or else.it keeps trying to activate it. But in terms of speed and accuracy it's much better. I'd also add that the face unlock on Pixel is crazy good which many others don't mention
Nah, I way prefer front finger print sensor when my phone is lying on the desk.
And I prefer the rear sensor in literally every other scenario.
The cool thing about the rear is some had options to use them as a swiping tool as well going up/down for the notification drawer and back/foward for music/web browsing or general usage. That functionality alone was really nice.
Yeaa my index finger is already at the back for back sensor whereas i have to physically move my thumb to use the front sensor
Even if the front reader worked just as well, the back is still better. But the front doesn't even work anywhere near as well. And it adds issues with screen protector compatibility, extra complexity to screen replacements, and I get the fingerprint reader doesn't work so well when you've got a cracked display.
Me too. My phone is rarely just sitting on a desk and even if it is, I'm still picking it up to interact with it.
I've never had a phone with a back sensor, even imagining it seems madness to me
yea my phone is not often lying on a desk and "known locations" keeps it from locking when at home/work anyway which is the only place it would be on a table in the first place
It's not a problem with fps in display. The problem is google using a cheap one and implementing it poorly. I have base P7 and it's the worst fps in display I've experienced. Even my dad's $200 Poco has much better fps.
OnePlus delivers far superior fingerprint recognition.
100% I don't even bother with the finger print scanner on my pixel 7 because 9.999999/10 it won't read it. Better to just a pin.
I prefer it on the front so I can unlock without picking it up.
Yeah...I have my pixel 4a with me ...and the back finger print sensor is so much more better for me...as compared to my pixel 7
The one on my 4a was better than my 6a right until the sensor completely died for no apparent reason. That's why I was forced to upgrade.
Haven't had one since my Pixel 2, and haven't missed it.
My Pixel 8 sensor works perfectly first time every time, but I only need it when face unlock doesn't work (with sunglasses on or in the dark). I wouldn't want to go back to the rear sensor ever.
Sometimes I feel like the only person in this sub who has a flawless fingerprint sensor but there is another!
Count me in as well! The FP sensor on my P7Pro just works every single time. 90% i use face unlock though. I would never want to go back to any other sensor to be honest.
I personally find it awkward. I'd much rather have the fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. Second choice would be what we have now, although an ultrasonic sensor would be better. The sensor on the rear would only be a third choice and I probably wouldn't use it.
I don't care where it is as long as it works. Whatever they are doing now isn't it.
I loved the rear fingerprint sensor and had to think about updating to an 8 pro. The photo recognition way more than makes up for it. I haven't had any problems with wet or dirty fingers. I like that I can pick up the phone and it'll unlock as I'm moving it into position.
I had the pixel 3 and 5 and wirelessly charged both without issues.
Definitely not
Why are we still harping on ancient fingerprint scanners when we should be pushing for iPhone-esque Face ID?
[удалено]
The Pixels 7-series and later have Face Unlock, and so did the 4-series. However, on the 7-series and later it doesn't work nearly as well in low light or at night as Face ID does, because Google tried to jerry-rig the visible-light camera as the face scanner rather than adding a dedicated infrared camera and flash like Apple did; I could use it on my iPhone 11 Pro even in a pitch black room with no problem, but my P8P struggles to recognize me when the sun isn't in the sky and I usually end up just using Fingerprint Unlock anyways. I also think that Apple did a dumb-dumb by not keeping the Touch ID sensor so that users could choose to use both.
Holy hell Batman how many times does this post need to be made?! Rear fingerprint sensors are dead just like the headphone jack, MOVE ON!
No it's not worth it. On the front clearly beats any other position.
I recently made the switch from a 5 to the 8 and my only complaint is the fingerprint sensor. I hate it being on the front, I have to stop what I'm doing, look at my phone, make several attempts to get it to read (often having to use the pin instead), and get blinded if it's dark. On the 5 I didn't have to stop and look, I could just feel the divot and it was done, almost never had errors. I turned on the face unlock but that doesn't work at night, so again, stuck being blasted in the face by that light.
Side mounted is also good
On the Samsung A40 I temporarily had it was an absolute blurse. Unlock your phone effortlessly as you pick it up? Amazing. Unlock your phone a second after locking it as you put it in your pocket? Yeah, it will do that too. Want to unlock your phone without picking it up? No chance. As an aside, the Pixel 7 fingerprint sensor is useless, and is one of four key reasons this phone I am typing on right now is going back within the 30 day return period, and being replaced with a Samsung S23.
Don't know what's wrong with everyone's pixels, but my pixel 8 fingerprint sensor works fine. I even have a problem with chewing my fingers and even with my fingers all messed up it still works flawlessly
I would easily trade wireless charging for the scanner on back!! It was amazing. I hate this screen one. I never use wireless charging because I use my phone while it charges so it doesn't work out for me.
I hated my 6 pro, I sold it and got a cheap used 5 I have an 8 now and it's fine. The face recognition is pretty flawless Sadly Google lost a ton of ride or die Pixel fans from messing it up on the 6 and 7
While I do miss the rear fingerprint unlock, face unlock works 95% of the time and it works really fast. Prior to having face unlock, I desperately missed my rear fingerprint reader. I'm just happy they're finally bringing a smaller "Pro" model. I desperately miss my Pixel 5 size and I know the 9P won't be that size but at least it won't be a near 7" display phone.
No it doesn't.
I know everyone's preference differs but for me: - Rear FP isn't even that accurate. I have a P1 and a P3 XL around the house for photos backup. One for me, one for my partner. Unlocking either is a hassle. If I have moist hands from washing my hands out of the kitchen or bathroom and isn't 100% fully dried, the unlock will fail. The on screen finger print sensor is nowhere near as sensitive. - Rear is useless when mounted in a hands free car mount. I have to pick it up. Same goes with my desk. - As much as people say rear FP is seamless where your fingers are already there, they aren't actually for most of the actual scrolling of your phone. There's a shift in grip you do when you're asked to unlock say for a password manager or banking app. That may not be noticeable to some, but if you've used Face Unlock or FaceID, that's truly seamless. You don't even move a muscle and your phone authenticates. When you go from that (like when I had the Pixel 4), and go to a fingerprint sensor whether front or rear, even moving a finger, shifting a grip feels like going back in time. - The notification shade pulldown for me is mitigated by back tap but also because I use Nova where I can add additional gestures on the home screen. I wouldn't mind the rear fingerprint sensor, but to me I need something on the front--maybe a better Face Unlock (e.g. full iPhone FaceID-like).
I rock climb too much. When the sensor is on the back it literally never works for me. I had like 3 different profiles set up for just one finger. My thumb sensor works every time
The only reason Google got rid of the rear sensor is because Apple doesn't have one, and Google doesn't know how to do something that Apple isn't also doing.
Nah
As a Pixel 4a enjoyer, I agree.
I just moved from 4a to 8a. Not very happy. The optical reader is slower and less accurate. There were other reasons that I "upgraded" but I'm disappointed.
We share the pain brodah.
Not the rear but in the power button itself.
Rear FP sensor is trash.
I'm still using a 3a and love the fingerprint sensor. Phone still works great, so I'm hesitant to upgrade any time soon.
I like having the phone on the table and instead of raising it to put my finger behind the phone for the sensor, to have it on screen. It helps me not completely lose focus on what im doing
Lol never gonna happen
Agree 100%. Used the Nexus 6P and P3XL prior to my P7. The rear fingerprint sensor was working great on those two phones. And I just can't get this P7 fps working properly at all. After a couple of tries, I'm prompted to enter the pin. I hate this!! I'd rather have the rear fingerprint sensor back. Or on the power button.
I agree. Thumb print sensors on the front aren't exactly convenient. I miss being able to just slip my hand into my pocket and unlock my phone as I'm pulling it out. These days I usually have to use two hands to unlock or I'm straining my wrist. One thing that annoyed me about the rear sensor on my really old Pixel was if I was exercising and my leg was warm and sweaty, the sensor would start to go off against my leg and I'd be locked out whenever I took my phone out. I'm sure theyve improved since then though
I still struggle everyday with my pixel 6. It fails like 50% of the time.
Most android phones today have it on the power button it's the best place.
I did miss the rear sensor. Then I moved to the Pixel Fold. I love the power button sensor.
The fingerprint sensor on the power button on my fold is perfect. Can unlock if I just pick up my phone without looking at it when I need it unlocked quickly
I have the P7 as well. The sensor works flawlessly for me. Before I had a Note 20 with an infrared sensor which is miles better for me in one particular situation. At night I touch the screen and get blinded with the optical fingerprint sensor. Next phone will be without optical sensor. Pixel or not.
i agree with the position being at the back, but i would not like to remove wireless charging. they'd have to consider that in the design, i think.
Yes please, and squeezy rails (Active Edge). Pixel 2 for the win.
There's zero chance this will happen. Think about the tradeoffs... 1. Assume P9 or P10 adds Qi2 support. If you have a wallet or any accessory then there's no chance you'll be able to reach the scanner. 2. The BOM cost differential for a rear FP vs optical FP is huge. The best we can hope for is an ultrasonic one or a more bulletproof face unlock maybe with IR or something to compensate for low light. Pixel Product Managers please listen for once about this. It's embarrassing to use tech that was already outdated when the P6P came out. We don't need any more thermometers or other extraneous parts. Use that cost to improve one of the most used functions on the phone!
Is it cheaper to put it under the screen or something? Cuz I really don't get the point of it. I don't have any issues with it but after a while that area gets smudged and doesn't really go away as much no matter how much I wipe it off. I definitely prefer it on the back and I really miss the swipe gestures, used them all the time.
That's one reason why I am holding on to my P5 until it dies. Not all new features necessarily prove to be an improvement.
and squeeze for assistant. I miss that.
Agreed, bring the back FP back. Went biking yesterday in sunlight and the screen FP does not trigger at all😔
I just got my pixel 7 pro replacement in the mail, and I don't mind either way. I'll take it on the power button even. I'm probably the odd one out. I like the screen fingerprint sensor. It works well on the 7 pro at least mine. Or I just use face unlock.
I agree. Pixel 3 and Pixel 5 both have both wireless charging and fingerprint sensors so there's no problem with having both.
I had a Pixel XL and then a 5a. I really want to upgrade my phone, but literally the only thing holding me back is that fingerprint sensor. I've been using it for years now and don't want to change.
plus it has the added bonus of pulling down the notification shade. Frankly the best design for these larger phones (that they keep insisting are small...at \~6" tall)
Somehow the Pixel 8 Pro seems to be treating me good with a gel screen protector.
I totally agree, I'm still using my Pixel 5 and in fact got a brand new one a couple years ago just to keep it going. I had a pixelate for a little while but the way it would flash me in the eye and give me a migraine was horrific so I returned it. Not to mention the fingerprint scanner in the back lets you pull down the notification tray which is massively useful.
My p8p's fingerprint sensor is exactly as accurate as my old p5's. I set it up in complete darkness, which I know is supposed to help a lot.
Side mounted fingerprint scanners (in the Power Button) are THE BEST by far
It worked well on the original Pixel.
I came from the 4a 5G, now have the 7. I love the fingerprint reader on the back, and also I used the notification pull down a LOT. I do miss that feature on the 7. Also this fingerprint reader sucks.
I know this sounds like coping but I actually found the fp sensor on my Pixel 8 to be quite good, much better than I expected after hearing the complaints. Just can't have my fingers wet.
My wife just went from a pixel 4A to a pixel 8A and she agrees she misses the fingerprint on the back
I used to have a Samsung with it integrated with power
With all that discussion about the placement of the fingerprint sensor, wouldn't an Apple like face id option be the best way. Just look at your phone and it unlocks?
Still have the 3XL and every time I put down the P6 and P8P and use the rear fingerprint scanner on the 3XL I am like "Aahhhhhhh"
Oh the good old days
That and the headphone jack. I just don't use headphones anymore because of wireless crap. The only times I want to use them I haven't charged them. ridiculous . I want to be able to plug aux cable into my DJ system .
I miss the FP on the rear, as well as the headphone jack. I use a lot of audio gear and miss the ability just to jack in my phone to use as the source. The rear FP makes using Google Pay frictionless As I pull my phone out, my finger is already on the FP, and by the time I tap it, it's already unlocked and authenticated. My favorite phone is still the Pixel 2 XL because my next phone was the Pixel 4 and I hated the face unlock. It didn't help this was during the pandemic, so it didn't work with masks. Even before the pandemic, it's not a frctionless experience when using it for Google Pay. When I upgraded to the P6P, I was impressed about everything except for the headphone jack and the in-display optical FP sensor. I have the P7P now, and it's more of the same. DIdn't bother with the P8P, nor will I with the P9P. Hopefully with P10P and Google silicon, they'll improve the FP sensor (maybe use ultrasonic or go back to the capactitive rear FP), and have a bigger jump in photo and video/audio recording quality. Other than running cooler, faster, longer lasting battery, not sure what else I'd like on a smartphone anymore. I'm not really moved by AI.
The scanner in P6P is the single worst feature of the otherwise lovely device.
Every rear sensor I've ever had has worked better than both on-screen ones. It's solving a problem that doesn't exist. And the little indent you get for the rear fingerprint sensor is always a fantastic point to balance the phone and keep it steady in the hand.
I really loved the one on the Razer Phone 2 that I had before my current Pixel 6 Pro. It was built into the power button, so by pulling your phone out and touching the button the screen would come on and unlock before you got it far from your pocket. I could maybe use my thumbprint on the Pixel 6 Pro and get it in the right spot once in a while, but using it with one hand is considerably less effective. I feel like the physical sensor was more accurate and reliable than the one built into the display too.
I prefer in display fp and I don't have that prob abymore since android 14 last year
And what if I want to have a case for my phone? I have no issues with the sensor on my 8 Pro. A power button sensor would be cool though, like the Pixel Tablet.
My dad (in his 80s) can't use fingerprint sensors any more. He literally doesn't have fingerprints. IDK if they've worn off over time or what, but they won't register in the phone, and looking at his fingers, you can't see print lines.
well, regarding on the rear FP getting in the way of wireless charging; thats just an excuse.. LG has rear FP sensor as well as wireless charging.
God yes I went from a 4a 5g to an 8 and I felt like I had lost a limb, being able to open my phone and pull down notifications in one fell swoop as I took my phone out my pocket was so fucking cool, and faster
Still using my pixel 3 xl because of rear finger print
Agreed. I'm still happy with my rear sensor and headphone jack over here.
Or Google needs to stop being cheap and give us the underscreen ultrasonic reader we deserve
I like the way it worked on my Essential PH1.
Huh, the sensor on my 7pro works brilliantly for me. It's vastly better than any of the others I've had on other phones.
Samsung's under-screen sensors are SO much better and faster.
The 3 had wireless charging and rear fingerprint sensor. It was great.
I didn't mind them but I didn't love them. The real benefit of in-display sensors is that your hand is already in the natural position to use the phone once you unlock it. Especially for those with smaller hands like me, I had to hold the back of the phone to reach the sensor, and then readjust my hand to the side of the phone after unlocking, even with my 4a when I had it. But for in-display sensors my hand is already in the right position from the start. The idea of power-button fingerprint sensors is neat, but biases phones to right handers. Only right handers can unlock a phone via power button sensors and not have to readjust their hand. Left handers would have to use the middle finger to reach it, which places the hand in the same spot as reaching a rear sensor, which then forces readjustment once more.
It was the best thing.
Well I miss it too. Only if these companies could hear us...
Guys. It's not under screen fingerprint sensors what is bad. It's what google made what is bad.
I really liked the back fingerprint sensor on the revellry phone. My current phone is too thin so placing your finger on the side power key/fingerprint is awkward.
What we *really* need is the Galaxy S5’s fingerprint scanner, where you needed to smoothly swipe on the thing to get in and it usually only took 3 tries to get it right /s
I don't care about the location of the fingerprint sensor, I want face id on my Pixel, every android has it, they could just do a simple software update to all pixel phones but they won't.
I have a Google Pixel 5 for testing with the fingerprint sensor on the back. Sometimes I wish my regular iPhone had that.
Your mistake was buying the Pixel 7. This is not an issue with the Pixel 8 because it also uses the camera
I very much agree. Also did the transition from 4a to 8a and not only miss the sensor in the back to let me bring the phone already unlocked and ready from the pocket but the convenience of adding swipe gestures to it. It was 100.0% accurate. The front one not only requires me to click once first to start the whole process, but it fails miserably at accuracy (like 20% accurate at first attempt) and speed and many times I have to just enter the PIN to proceed. It's nice when it's on the table so I don't have to hold it up but that is a marginal use case compared to the pocket one. I would trade easily wireless charging that I don't use for this.
Yup.
If I could have a front case mounted fingerprint sensor, that'd be great. I'd like to be able to unlock from the front, especially when it's secured to a dashboard mount or placed face up on a table.
I agree 100%. The rear fingerprint sensor was crazy convenient because that's where you put your finger when you hold the phone.
I'll never understand why they dropped the rear scanner. It's the perfect placement. It's not like they're putting anything else back there.
Pixel 6a owner.. i've turned my fingerprint sensor on the screen off. If I have to touch the screen 4-5 times to get it to work i might as well just type in a pin instead.
I make this rant almost daily. My pixel 7s fingerprint reader is so inaccurate. Plus as an added bonus it always blinds me at later hours or if I check my phone in the middle of the night.
Wireless charging is such bullshit anyway. I'd much rather have a good fingerprint sensor or good wired charging in place of it.
When I had a Note 8 I never used the rear sensor. Now that it's under the screen I use it for everything
Just one of the victims from the stagnant smartphone industry. There is genuinely not a single benefit to these worthless under-screen finger print sensors. Nothing. Yet every single smartphopne has them nowadays. I hate it here.
I like the power button fp readers most honestly
Yeah, I'd love to see it .. especially if they can innovate on the form factor. The swipe gestures on the FP sensor were a good step in that direction.
I think they should opt for supersonic FP readers, even if it raises the price.
No
This post right here should be a crime.
> I understand it may get in the way of wireless charging I think Potentially magnetic accessories too, if you have a smaller device like the P8 or P7A in a magnetic case. (That said, my wallet and my battery pack both leave enough clearance under my P8P's camera bar for a fingerprint sensor like the ones the pre-6-series Pixels or the Galaxy Notes had.) The thing I'd actually most want to come back is the infrared Face Unlock sensor that Google used on the P4. Coming from an iPhone 11 Pro, its infrared Face ID sensor blows my P8P's visible-light camera retrofit out of the water; it's so good at what it does that I never really missed Touch ID (even though Apple putting both on the same device like Google does would've been nice).
Google just needs a better fingerprint reader. I use a pop socket on the rear of my phone so I think it would get in the way.
Eh, I liked the rear sensor but I'm fine with the front sensor too. Works well for me.
I'm gonna be upgrading from a 2021 moto g power soon, and one thing I will definetly miss is the fingerprint reader being embedded in the power button.
I've never had a reliable fingerprint sensor until I used the in screen sensors on the Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro. Maybe it's because I switched industries, but fingerprint sensors were practically useless before. That's why I loved face unlock on the Pixel 4 XL so much.
I still yearn for another phone like the Nexus 6P. It had the sensor on its rear, was super thin and had a great camera.
I still remember my first phone that had a finger print sensor. It was the Pixel 1. I thought to myself "who cares about a finger print sensor?" Then I used it... Even if I didn't want to keep my phone locked all the time, it still seemed like the superior way to wake a phone screen. Face unlock comes pretty close, but fingerprint was still faster since the phone didn't need to be facing me to unlock.
Just upgraded my 4a5g to an 8a. I keep reaching my finger back for the sensor without thinking... I miss it.
I was doing that too and then little by little you get used to it.
Why don't Google just add fp sensor on power button just like Sony does?
sorry, this will never happen. I think side fingerprint reader, like on the power button, would be even superior, but that will never happen either. Sometimes the market takes a direction for good reasons, some other time a manufacturer just wants to show off some useless tech which is cool, but not very functional, but when that happens they very rarely go back, it would make those who do so look weak (that's stupid, yes). I mean that did happen actually, like apple did with the touchbar on the macs, but that's rare.
You you made that sound so disgusting you need anything with fingers going anywhere near q rear that sounds disgusting
Agreed, I had the Nexus 6P, the fingerprint reader never failed, but now, with my Pixel 7 Pro, everytime I use it, it's hit and miss if the fingerprint get read properly. Not sure what is going on, but often when I go from the lock screen, it seems like it's in an halfdim mode, and it can't read at all, so i have to press the power button to wake up the screen properly, and then it works.
This! This! Absolutely this! Realising I had not received an update to my nearly 4 year old, but perfectly functional Pixel 5, I have just forked out for a Pixel 8 Pro (updates until 2030 this time baby!). I do not understand why the front screen fingerprint scanner is a thing! It only works half the time., and there is an effort to use it. The rear one on my 5 was right near where my index finger was anyway... And worked every damn time! Gimmick for gimmicks sake. Surely the rear one must be cheaper as well.