LG Unveils Fingerprint Sensor That Sits Under a Smartphone Display

Apple began pioneering smartphone fingerprint sensors in its smartphones a few years ago, with the iPhone 5s. Since then, numerous manufacturers have introduced fingerprint sensors on their smartphones. Now, LG is doing the pioneering, and is touting its new fingerprint sensor that sits under the display. This means that when you will place your finger on the cover glass of the display, the under glass fingerprint sensor module would automatically identify your fingerprint.

Announced on Monday by LG Innotek CEO Jongseok Park, the under glass fingerprint sensor module will not only eliminate dedicated buttons, pads, or other elements for fingerprint recognition, but will also help make the smartphone more water resistant by reducing the number of openings. This might also result in slimmer devices in future.

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LG Innotek says it has cut 0.01-inch (0.3mm) slot on the back of the cover display glass and has installed a fingerprint sensor in it with "supreme precision and combination technology."

It has been mentioned that the fingerprint sensor module has a false acceptance rate (FAR) of 0.002 percent. LG adds that the adherence side of both the glass and the fingerprint sensor is 0.0098-inch (0.25mm) thick and can resist the impact of a 130 gram steel ball dropped from 7.9-inch.

"We are concentrating on all our resources to the development of the differentiated technology based on the creation of customer values. We will continue to provide convenient, safe, and pleasant user experiences by launching innovative product," said Changhwan Kim, Head of Research and Development Centre LG.

LG has not yet revealed when exactly we would start seeing this technology in smartphones or other devices. However, this might happen soon as a company spokesperson has said to The Korea Times that it is in talks with some smartphone brands to commercialize the product within this year. "We are in talks with some handset manufacturers to commercialise the new modules within the year." The company in December last year was tipped to supply Oled displays for upcoming iPhone models.