Qualcomm is launching a brand new version of its 3D Sonic fingerprint scanner, and it’s introducing some serious upgrades. Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic System uses ultrasound for fingerprint authentication, and it’s used by a lot of flagship Android phones like the Galaxy S10 and Note 10+ devices.
Qualcomm is now introducing the 3D Sonic Max fingerprint sensor, the company’s latest fingerprint scanner that introduces significantly improved security features.
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The new sensor is 17x bigger than before, measuring in at 20mm x 30mm, compared to the usual 4mm x 9mm sensors we have come to see, reports Engadget. The bigger size means the 3D Sonic Max can now scan two fingers at a time, which will offer improved security. The new dual-fingerprint authentication system will introduce a new layer of security that could practically be used by banking apps, for example.
The larger sensor also means setting up fingerprint authentication will be easier, as you won’t have to repeatedly tap your finger from different points to register a fingerprint on your phone. And as the larger size allows the sensor to read more data, it will also offer more accuracy, with Qualcomm aiming for a 1 in a million accuracy rate which is the same as Apple’s Face ID. Touch ID, on the other hand, has an accuracy of 1 in 50,000, and it’s the same for most other fingerprint sensors.
The new 3D Sonic Max will also offer improved speed, according to Qualcomm. The new sensor could start showing up on phones as early as next year.
proesterchen
<p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The new dual-fingerprint authentication system will introduce a new layer of security that could practically be used by banking apps, for example."</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It doesn't add much for security as fingers, no matter how many, usually come prepackaged with the </span>ugly bags of mostly water they'be been used as authentication for. Get a one, get them all – same difference.</p>
proesterchen
<blockquote><em><a href="#494562">In reply to Daekar:</a></em></blockquote><p>Think of it as a door with two locks. It doesn't add much security if keys to both locks are on the same keychain.</p><p><br></p><p>The same is true for fingerprints. Adding more fingerprints from the same person may reduce the ability for someone else to accidentally make it past the biometric scanner, but if it is your intention to gain access, you still only have to grab the same one person, or lift two of their prints instead of just one.</p>
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#494585">In reply to JVarde:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Two fingers also double the likelihood of failure.</p>
BrianEricFord
<p>Fuck it. We’re going to 5 fingerprint sensors.</p>