Smartphone Makers Quietly Abandoning Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensors? Side-Mounted Fingerprint Readers Emerge as a New Trend

Smartphone Makers Quietly Abandoning Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensors? Side-Mounted Fingerprint Readers Emerge as a New TrendIT Home, January 24th A digital blogger, @DigitalChatStation, revealed that another smartphone manufacturer has abandoned the acclaimed ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology in favor of the more traditional side-mounted fingerprint solution. This news has sparked widespread industry and consumer interest in the future development trends of mobile phone fingerprint recognition technology

Smartphone Makers Quietly Abandoning Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensors? Side-Mounted Fingerprint Readers Emerge as a New Trend

IT Home, January 24th A digital blogger, @DigitalChatStation, revealed that another smartphone manufacturer has abandoned the acclaimed ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology in favor of the more traditional side-mounted fingerprint solution. This news has sparked widespread industry and consumer interest in the future development trends of mobile phone fingerprint recognition technology.

Ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology, with its unique advantages, was once a standard feature in high-end flagship phones. Its main advantages include: a higher position for the sensor, convenient for one-handed operation; support for 3D fingerprint input, enhancing security; the ability to unlock even with wet fingers; unlocking without needing a lit screen, saving power and enhancing convenience; fast recognition speed, offering a smooth unlocking experience; and strong unlocking stability with a low error rate. These advantages made ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology far superior to traditional capacitive fingerprint recognition technology in terms of user experience.

However, in recent years, more and more smartphone manufacturers have begun to reconsider the feasibility of side-mounted fingerprint solutions. While side-mounted fingerprint technology is relatively mature, its security and recognition speed are inferior to ultrasonic fingerprint technology. However, it exhibits significant advantages in cost control and supply chain stability. This may be the main reason why some manufacturers are abandoning ultrasonic fingerprint technology in favor of side-mounted solutions.

Currently, it is unclear which manufacturer has abandoned ultrasonic fingerprint technology. However, considering the current pace of new phone releases from domestic manufacturers, Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, Honor, and Meizu are all possibilities. These manufacturers have all launched models equipped with ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology in the past year, accumulating rich technical experience. The shift to side-mounted fingerprint technology undoubtedly requires a reassessment and adjustment of their product strategies.

It's worth noting that there are already many flagship models on the market using side-mounted fingerprint solutions. Models like the Huawei Mate70 series/MateX6, Xiaomi MIX Fold4/MIX Flip, Honor MagicV3/Vs3, OPPO Find N3, and vivo XFold3 all employ side-mounted fingerprint recognition technology. These models are mostly foldable phones, where the side-mounted fingerprint solution integrates better with the body design and avoids the technical challenges and cost control issues associated with in-screen fingerprint recognition technology in foldable phones.

This event has also sparked reflection on the future direction of mobile phone fingerprint recognition technology. While ultrasonic fingerprint recognition technology boasts numerous advantages, it still faces challenges in cost, supply chain, and compatibility with certain phone designs. The maturity, low cost, and stable supply chain of side-mounted fingerprint recognition technology give it strong market competitiveness.

In the long run, the development direction of mobile phone fingerprint recognition technology will depend on the continuous maturation of the technology, continuous cost reduction, and continuous improvement of user experience. Perhaps in the future, a more advanced, convenient, and secure fingerprint recognition technology will emerge, completely replacing the current ultrasonic and side-mounted fingerprint solutions. However, for now, the advantages of side-mounted fingerprint solutions in cost and supply chain mean it will continue to hold a significant market share.

This event also reminds us that smartphone manufacturers need to consider multiple factors in their technology choices, including technological maturity, cost control, supply chain stability, and user experience. Blindly pursuing advanced technology without considering practical application scenarios and market demand can ultimately be counterproductive.

While the specific manufacturer remains unannounced, this event will undoubtedly have a certain impact on the entire mobile phone industry. Consumers need to more rationally consider the advantages and disadvantages of different fingerprint recognition technologies when choosing a phone and select a suitable model based on their own needs. In the future, smartphone manufacturers will be more cautious in their technology choices, balancing technological innovation with cost control to bring consumers higher-quality mobile phone products.

This incident once again demonstrates the rapid pace of technological iteration in the mobile phone industry. Manufacturers need to constantly adapt to market changes to maintain their competitiveness. For consumers, understanding the advantages and disadvantages behind different technologies allows for more informed choices; ultimately, choosing the most suitable option is key. For smartphone manufacturers, continuous technological innovation and an accurate grasp of market demand are the keys to success. This "silent battle" over fingerprint recognition technology continues.