Signs point to Galaxy flagship with under-display scanner

Biometric firm Synaptics is no stranger to the mobile sector, producing fingerprint scanners for a variety of smartphone brands around the world.

Now, its latest statement (spotted via r/Android) confirms that it’s bringing “world first in-display fingerprint scanners” to a “top five OEM” in the near future.

“Designed for smartphones with infinity displays, Synaptics’ Clear ID in-display fingerprint sensors magically activate in the display only when needed,” an excerpt reads. Of course, Samsung calls their latest screens “infinity displays”, suggesting it’s the Korean firm.

It’s widely believed that Samsung’s awkward placement of the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S8 (review) was due to the firm being unable to get under-display scanners working properly.

The Galaxy S9 could pack an under-display fingerprint scanner, Synaptics has implied

“The new Synaptics Clear ID optical fingerprint sensors deliver one-touch high-resolution scanning through full cover glass and enable sleek, button-free, bezel-free infinity displays,” the company release continues.

Expect to play with the tech behind closed doors at CES.

“Synaptics welcomes press and analysts to join us for a live demonstration of in-display fingerprint on a full-production, soon to be announced Tier 1 customer phone.”

Of course, this could be the Galaxy S9 or it could be a completely different high-end device from Samsung.