Fingerprint Sensor Disappointing

[WeeWilly]

So far, I like everything about the S20+ except the in-screen fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor is too small and it only works about 75% of the time. The in-screen fingerprint sensor on my OnePlus 7 Pro was far superior. BTW, the S20+ still has the factory installed screen protector, as did my OnePlus 7 Pro.

 

[Unforgiven]

So far, I like everything about the S20+ except the in-screen fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor is too small and it only works about 75% of the time. The in-screen fingerprint sensor on my OnePlus 7 Pro was far superior. BTW, the S20+ still has the factory installed screen protector, as did my OnePlus 7 Pro.

Coming from the Pixel 3a with a near instantaneous response I'm getting used to this. It is slower, but I'm not sure I can compare. I have heard that registering your finger multiple times can speed it up, but I haven't tried that yet, and I don't know haw many prints you can register. Right now I have both my thumbs and both my index fingers registered.

 

[NightAngel79]

Coming from the Pixel 3a with a near instantaneous response I'm getting used to this. It is slower, but I'm not sure I can compare. I have heard that registering your finger multiple times can speed it up, but I haven't tried that yet, and I don't know haw many prints you can register. Right now I have both my thumbs and both my index fingers registered.

Might have to try the multiple approach. I too am having mixed results. This is with the provided screen protector.

I already know I am going to remove it and see if that improves, but figured I'd give it a few days

 

[ispamforfood]

Well, I'm not trying to take a jab at your age or anything, but based on your profile pic, I'm assuming you're advanced in age a bit. I've actually read some research that says as you age, your fingerprints become less well defined. They essentially aren't as deep as they used to be. And that can have an impact on how well the fingerprint scanner picks them up to begin with. Just sayin, it might be less about the phone and more about the depth of the ridges of your fingerprints. Maybe try a different finger? Or scan several of them? Just a thought.
My mom is in her early 70s and has been struggling with the fingerprint scanner picking up as well. I think most of the time she just uses her pin to unlock it. My fingerprint still works on her phone tho
What?? I bought and programmed it for her... lol...

 

[Hadron]

Reviews I've read say that the s20 under-screen fingerprint sensor is the same as the s10, which was universally described as less effective than the conventional ones (including that on the s10e).

I believe that the OnePlus uses a different technology (Samsung use Qualcomm's ultrasonic scanner I believe), so performance may differ.

 

[sullencab]

Really, arggghh I was trying to buy one for myself this weekend. Good thanks for sharing!

 

[olbriar]

I suspect the fingerprint scanner is much the same as my Note 10+ in-screen scanner. My first thumbprint scan would unlock my phone around 50% of the time. I registered four more prints of the same thumb and that percentage increased to maybe 90% or so.
I have scans of a couple of other digits just in case I injure my thumb. I have maybe 8 scans saved. It's the first phone I've used the print reader for entry so I can't weigh my results against a different unit.

 

[WeeWilly]

Well, I'm not trying to take a jab at your age or anything, but based on your profile pic, I'm assuming you're advanced in age a bit. I've actually read some research that says as you age, your fingerprints become less well defined. They essentially aren't as deep as they used to be. And that can have an impact on how well the fingerprint scanner picks them up to begin with. Just sayin, it might be less about the phone and more about the depth of the ridges of your fingerprints. Maybe try a different finger? Or scan several of them? Just a thought.
My mom is in her early 70s and has been struggling with the fingerprint scanner picking up as well. I think most of the time she just uses her pin to unlock it. My fingerprint still works on her phone tho
What?? I bought and programmed it for her... lol...

You're right about my advanced age (I'm 80), and my fingerprints may have worn down some over the years. However, before the S20 I had a OnePlus 7 Pro, and the in-screen fingerprint scanner worked almost flawlessly using the same finger. I have scanned the finger multiple times, but the S20 scanner is not as reliable as the OP7 Pro.

 

[olbriar]

You are my senior which is becoming rare these days. I will add to my statement of multiple scans of my thumb being the ticket to my success on the latest Sammy readers. The thumb I'm scanning has more to scan than mere print. Working with my hands all of my life most all of my digits have cross hatch scars or patch scars on them. I'm sure they are pretty easy to read. That's no excuse for the S20 not scanning as well as the OnePlus 7 Pro however.

 

[WeeWilly]

Really, arggghh I was trying to buy one for myself this weekend. Good thanks for sharing!

Don't let my experience with the fingerprint scanner keep you from buying this phone. For me, it's an excellent phone in all other areas, and the fact that I don't think the fingerprint scanner is as good as the one on my OnePlus 7 Pro is not a reason for me to return the phone.

 

[WeeWilly]

I suspect the fingerprint scanner is much the same as my Note 10+ in-screen scanner. My first thumbprint scan would unlock my phone around 50% of the time. I registered four more prints of the same thumb and that percentage increased to maybe 90% or so.
I have scans of a couple of other digits just in case I injure my thumb. I have maybe 8 scans saved. It's the first phone I've used the print reader for entry so I can't weigh my results against a different unit.

As someone pointed out, Samsung and OnePlus use different technologies for the fingerprint scanner. Also, although I no longer have the OP 7 Pro to compare, I'm pretty sure the OP scanner was larger than the Samsung scanner, and that makes it easier on us older folks. And maybe like us older folks, the Samsung scanner will get better with age.

 

[Unforgiven]

Don't let my experience with the fingerprint scanner keep you from buying this phone. For me, it's an excellent phone in all other areas, and the fact that I don't think the fingerprint scanner is as good as the one on my OnePlus 7 Pro is not a reason for me to return the phone.

^^^agree, the FP scanner is no reason to not get this phone. There is so much else to justify it.

 

[olbriar]

Just out of curiosity, does the S20 include the option for face recognition. I tried that option on my Note 10+ without much success.
Perhaps I'm aging too fast

 

[WeeWilly]

Just out of curiosity, does the S20 include the option for face recognition. I tried that option on my Note 10+ without much success.
Perhaps I'm aging too fast

Yes, it does, and I'm using face recognition which seems to work well, although I'm sure it's not as secure as a fingerprint and it won't work for apps that require biometric validation. Speaking of biometric validation, the fingerprint scanner seems to work better with apps such as banking and LastPass than it does in unlocking the phone. BTW, don't be concerned about aging too fast because when you stop aging...

 

[svim]

.....Speaking of biometric validation, the fingerprint scanner seems to work better with apps such as banking and LastPass than it does in unlocking the phone....

That is something of an interesting observation. I have to wonder if this has anything to do with the display being brought out of its sleep mode (as opposed to it already being on when you use the in-screen fingerprint scanner to authenticate those apps).
Just as a test, have you tried unlocking your phone without the screen protector in place? The older style fingerprint scanners relied on more or less direct contact between a finger and the sensor itself but with these newer in-screen fingerprint scanners they rely on optical or now ultrasonic technology.
https://thenextweb.com/plugged/2019/07/23/how-does-in-screen-fingerprint-scanner-work/
Perhaps the screen protector might be 'filtering' the ultrasonic signal just enough to adversely affect the unlocking process.

 

[olbriar]

That is a thought.... the Note 10+ has a setting to adjust sensitivity to compensate for a screen protector. Might want to see if the Plus has that option and if it buys a better scan.

 

[svim]

This article was posted just a few hours ago:
https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/...qualcomms-bad-fingerprint-scanner-technology/

 

[NightAngel79]

This article was posted just a few hours ago:
https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/...qualcomms-bad-fingerprint-scanner-technology/

On one hand I am glad I am not the only one, on the other this seems a super dumb move on a new flagship. Literally the exact same scanner they already knew was sub-par.

I have index fingers saved, guess I will replace and scan both thumbs again. And will give it a bit more time, then I'm removing the screen protector. I don't use screen protectors, but 99% of the world does so I've been leaving it on to get a real experience with it.

Once I take it off will be interesting if I see a real difference in finger performance.

 

[surfer44]

I have been using my new s20 for a couple days now. I find the fingerprint scanner a little slower than other phones i've used but not too bad. It's like a fraction of a second slower usually, sometimes not even that. And my fingerprint works almost 100% of the time. I was having problems with my index finger so I deleted and reprogrammed and now it works fine.

I was really worried about this feature before activating but I can honestly say for me it's a non issue now. Works fine, even if a tiny fraction of a second slower than my prior phone

 

[NightAngel79]

I have been using my new s20 for a couple days now. I find the fingerprint scanner a little slower than other phones i've used but not too bad. It's like a fraction of a second slower usually, sometimes not even that. And my fingerprint works almost 100% of the time. I was having problems with my index finger so I deleted and reprogrammed and now it works fine.

I was really worried about this feature before activating but I can honestly say for me it's a non issue now. Works fine, even if a tiny fraction of a second slower than my prior phone

Hmm, maybe I will delete all my fingers and re-add. Mine is mostly fine, but unless I consciously think about it, I often do not press hard enough.

 

[surfer44]

Hmm, maybe I will delete all my fingers and re-add.

I made sure to really move my fingers all around while programming so the sensor got every angle and every piece i might use. Seems to work just fine now

 

[NightAngel79]

I made sure to really move my fingers all around while programming so the sensor got every angle and every piece i might use. Seems to work just fine now

Definitely going to re-do all of mine then...

And you left the included screen protector on?

 

[surfer44]

yes i left the screen protector on. let me know how it works after you recalibrate. best of luck!

 

[NightAngel79]

yes i left the screen protector on. let me know how it works after you recalibrate. best of luck!

Thanks!! lol

 

[RetiredGeek92009]

I've has my S20+ for two days and hate the fingerprint sensor, after using one on my old note I didn't think it could get any worse but as the saying goes "never challenge worse".