Qualcomm’s New Fingerprint Sensor Lets You Scan Two Fingers at a Time

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.

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Conversation 10 comments

  • wosully

    Premium Member
    03 December, 2019 - 9:45 pm

    <p>You know, you can even use cheese on some of the fingerprint readers. My son did this, and was able to unlock his iPhone with a select piece of cheese….for a while. </p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      03 December, 2019 - 11:23 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#494458">In reply to wosully:</a></em></blockquote><p>That’s adorable.</p>

  • JCerna

    Premium Member
    03 December, 2019 - 10:12 pm

    <p>I don't get why would two fingers be more secure than one, I can see a scanner that can scan multiple areas of one finger. It would just be annoying. </p>

  • proesterchen

    04 December, 2019 - 2:23 am

    <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>

    • Daekar

      04 December, 2019 - 8:54 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#494485">In reply to proesterchen:</a></em></blockquote><p>I feel like you had a very specific point that you were trying to make here, and I've read your comment several times trying to parse it out, but I am failing. Can you spell it out a bit more plainly for me?</p>

      • proesterchen

        05 December, 2019 - 5:50 am

        <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>

    • JVarde

      04 December, 2019 - 10:09 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#494485">In reply to proesterchen:</a></em></blockquote><p>I think that the article implies that two fingers produce 1 in a million accuracy, while one finger results in 1 in 50,000 accuracy. That's the improvement.</p>

      • BrianEricFord

        04 December, 2019 - 2:06 pm

        <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>

  • Daekar

    04 December, 2019 - 8:57 am

    <p>I'll be happy just to have the larger scan area.. there are only two reasons why the scanner on my Galaxy S7 ever fails: my fingers are prunes from being wet or I don't get my finger perfectly centered on the sensor. The second one is far more frequent than the first.</p>

  • BrianEricFord

    04 December, 2019 - 2:07 pm

    <p>Fuck it. We’re going to 5 fingerprint sensors.</p>

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