Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
These days you will find fingerprint scanners in different places in different smartphones. While most OEMs are jumping to in-display fingerprint scanners, we still find button-mounted and other dedicated physical scanners on some phones. Take the Asus Zenfone 9 for example. It places the biometric reader in the power button of the smart key on the side. The Sony Xperia 1 IV also has a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint scanner.
While Android Authority’s Robert Triggs favors one type of fingerprint scanner over all others, we wanted to know what you, our readers, like better — in-display fingerprint scanners, side-mounted scanners, or back-mounted scanners. Here’s how you voted in our poll.
Which style of fingerprint scanner do you prefer?
Results
Our poll received over 2,600 reader votes, and the fingerprint scanner of choice for the majority seems to be the side-mounted one. 48% of respondents said they like their phones with side-mounted fingerprint scanners.
The next most preferred type of fingerprint protection among our survey respondents is in-display. 27% of those who voted chose this style. After all, it is very popular on current smartphones.
Meanwhile, 22% of respondents prefer rear-mounted fingerprint scanners and 4% do not use fingerprint unlock at all.
Your comments
Internet Man: The best part about side FPS is the fact that it forces OEMs to use a flat screen.
Casey Smith: Former Z5 owner, current XZ2 owner: The side-mounted scanner was great in every situation. It was handy when taking the phone out of the pocket, but it also wasn’t blocked when the phone was mounted on a car or bike. I miss it and I’m glad they brought it back on the Xperia 1 II. Definitely one of the reasons I’m looking forward to upgrading to a newer phone this fall.
emwy_tukur: Rarely use the power button. Double tapping on and off is the norm for me. In this context, a side-mount scanner is a no. On display all the way.
Kira: Fingerprint sensor on the back is the best app for me personally.
TwoMinus: A good rear FP scanner is probably the fastest in most use cases, such as taking the phone out of a pocket or table and start using it, but is unavailable in other cases, such as when the phone is on a bkike-mounted wireless charger or some car mounts so I still prefer front or possibly side mounted.
Stanley Kubrick: Not sure about the reasons…but why not put one on the back AND under the windshield? Both become active at the same time and you use whichever is most convenient for you. It can’t cost much more or take up much space. The OEM that does this first is the winner in my book.
crosph: I liked the side-mounted scanner with the Xperia Z5, I like it again with the Galaxy Z Flip. It’s a bit redundant on the Flip since opening the phone already wakes it up and face unlock is sometimes pretty quick, but anyway, even if it’s asleep, I just have to tap the power button uh, the side key with a little intention, and I’m in before I can even press the button.
KRB: I’ve never cared if my device has a fingerprint reader on the back (my current device does), the side, the front chin, or the display. The important thing is that it works well and fast… My preferences? I probably would have put it in the back, but I had a choice.
Paul B: Generally prefer touch over Face ID. My first touch was in the Samsung S10 screen… works fine. Then Pixel 5, tap on the back. Better than the face, but more uncomfortable. Pixel 6 Pro on screen works fine for me….. but I like my ipad to include the touch button feature.. would take it every time.
Marshall: In-display is mostly new. I’ve had the back, in the display, and the side (in that order) and I won’t be going back. The back is fine, but I’ve found it works best when using a case with a sculpted recess for the sensor (UB or similar). The side mount just seems to get under my thumb a lot quicker and easier, whether the phone is cased or natural.
Pete Kilburn: Put in the back!!! Phones are built for right-handed people when it comes to side fingerprint readers… really annoying.
duckofdeath: 100% of lefties hate side mounted fingerprint readers. In-display is definitely the future. If your optical reader is garbage like it always is, get a phone with an ultrasonic reader.
Joe Carroll: I am VERY hesitant to buy another phone with an in-display fingerprint sensor. I absolutely hate them and have never used one that lived up to my expectations. I’ve upgraded to an older phone so I don’t have to deal with it anymore, and I’ll probably buy a Pixel 5, 5A, or that new Asus (if my budget allows) instead of a Pixel 6, 6A, or 7 because of it.
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