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Which shape and location of the fingerprint scanner do you prefer?

Karel BalacMay 25, 2016

It’s hard to say when the fingeprint scanner in mobile phones trend started for real, but for sure this year it’s becoming clear that without it you can’t succeed, no matter if you are planning to release low-end or high-end device. Fingeprint scanner is really quickly becoming the standard in the industry, but there are major differences in the shapes and locations so we tried to write up some summary for you.

So here we go, in the current generation of the mobile phones you can find:

Front circular scanner

Main example of this one is currently iPhone 6S, this type of a sensor should be ultra fast in recognizing the fingerprint. Sensitivity should be high enough to be able even to properly identify wet finger and recognize higher pressure of the finger.

Front ellipsoidal scanner

Here we can take for example Xiaomi Mi5 as the sample, compared to similarly shaped one in Samsung S7 its smaller, but the speed and effectivity is not affected.

Front half-circular scanner

Probably the only example of such scanner is the one used in Cubot S9, which is the first phone in the world coming with this solution. The half-circular shape is theoretically based on the finger bionics, so the connection between anatomy and the scanner technology. With that it’s possible to use the half-circle instead of the bigger circular one for better and faster recognition of the papillary lines.

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Rear circular scanner

This one can be demonstrated on LG G5 example and this one is special even in the matter, that LG managed to integrate more functions into it.

Rear rectangular scanner

Prime example of this scanner is the Huawei P9 flagship with the clean design and the Leica dual camera setup. The scanner itself is fast and reliable and some people really prefer the rear location of the ID.

Side scanner

There are not many phones with the side located scanners so the best example would be probably Sony Xperia Z5, fingerprint scanner integrated in the button on the side saves space and makes the device pretty unique. Not to mention the usage is pretty natural, comfy and addictive.

So which type of the fingeprint scanner do you prefer and what is the best location for it? Let us know in the comments.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

About the author

Karel Balac
Working in IT since 2003. Chinese phone enthusiast in the last few years.

balcobomber25
May 25, 2016
I prefer Meizu’s multi-function home buttons to all others. After that Huawei does some pretty awesome things with the fingerprint sensor and I like that Nextbit incorporated it into the power button.
- Nam Dang
  May 25, 2016
  Funny thing I also like it even though I’m using one for only 1 week now.
  It matches my iPad Air with its single home button haha
  I prefer home button with fingerprint scanner since it’s the main button on a device besides power off/on button.

Marco Lancaster
May 25, 2016
I prefer the rear option, like Huawei Nexus 6P and some others. I know if the phone is placed in a table I’ll lost the FP function, but personally don’t care.
But I could live with one on the front, but it should be like Meizu. And also work like home button. In my opinion the worst implementation is when you have just a sensor that works just like a sensor, see Lenovo Moto G4 Plus for example.

Assefa Hanson
May 25, 2016
i prefer rectangular back, i really dont like front scanners THEORETICALLY id love the half circular one on the s9 come on man look at how unique the thing looks but i still think side ones are the most practical with the least cons
this article is a low key advertisement for the s9 though lol im not complaining though XD
Abdullah M.
May 25, 2016
Meizu’s front fingerprint scanner.

Max
May 25, 2016
Any fingerprint scanner on the back is fine with me. Huawei’s phones look great for me, I wish other high end phones would do the same. So far, Xiaomi’s had the Redmi Note 3 with one on the back, and the Mi5 with one on the front.

realjjj
May 25, 2016
No biometrics at all,more secure that way.
But since it’s too convenient for the lazy consumer to have one, then display integration. Before that anywhere but front ,even if it’s under the glass since that still forces a lower bezel to exist and the placement is not ergonomic.
With curved screens on the back, with foldable screens on the one free side.
- balcobomber25
  May 25, 2016
  You don’t have to use bio-metrics if you don’t want to. There is nothing that forces you to.
Cinegain
May 25, 2016
As a home button or on the side. It ensures reachability and even visibility, so you know what you’re doing. Plus, having it integrated in the home button is just slick. I also don’t like on-screen keys, so I appreciate physical nav buttons to begin with. I don’t find rear ones placed that conveniently most of the time and it results in poorer accuracy.

balcobomber25
May 25, 2016
I prefer Meizu’s multi-function home buttons to all others. After that Huawei does some pretty awesome things with the fingerprint sensor and I like that Nextbit incorporated it into the power button.
- Nam Dang
  May 25, 2016
  Funny thing I also like it even though I’m using one for only 1 week now.
  It matches my iPad Air with its single home button haha
  I prefer home button with fingerprint scanner since it’s the main button on a device besides power off/on button.

Marco Lancaster
May 25, 2016
I prefer the rear option, like Huawei Nexus 6P and some others. I know if the phone is placed in a table I’ll lost the FP function, but personally don’t care.
But I could live with one on the front, but it should be like Meizu. And also work like home button. In my opinion the worst implementation is when you have just a sensor that works just like a sensor, see Lenovo Moto G4 Plus for example.

Assefa Hanson
May 25, 2016
i prefer rectangular back, i really dont like front scanners THEORETICALLY id love the half circular one on the s9 come on man look at how unique the thing looks but i still think side ones are the most practical with the least cons
this article is a low key advertisement for the s9 though lol im not complaining though XD
Abdullah M.
May 25, 2016
Meizu’s front fingerprint scanner.
Abdullah M.
May 25, 2016
Meizu’s front fingerprint scanner.

highwind
May 25, 2016
Back, no matter the form/shape
Front isnt very practical and physical home button already looks retarded on its own
Max
May 25, 2016
Any fingerprint scanner on the back is fine with me. Huawei’s phones look great for me, I wish other high end phones would do the same. So far, Xiaomi’s had the Redmi Note 3 with one on the back, and the Mi5 with one on the front.
zeca_BR
May 25, 2016
For me, whatever.
The important is that there are physical buttons, not capactive buttons.
- highwind
  May 26, 2016
  Physical buttonS? Plural? Is there even a phone which has more than one physical button?
  Or are you perhaps you missunderstanding what is what:
  – physical button is what Apple and Samsung and Meizu have… a single home button which is physically a real “button”
  – capacitive button is what for example the Redmi series has… three “fields” beneth the display which are touch sensitive and act as buttons
  – and then there is onscreen buttons, thats what Huawei and Sony have on most of their phones… Buttons on the screen rather than the housing

realjjj
May 25, 2016
No biometrics at all,more secure that way.
But since it’s too convenient for the lazy consumer to have one, then display integration. Before that anywhere but front ,even if it’s under the glass since that still forces a lower bezel to exist and the placement is not ergonomic.
With curved screens on the back, with foldable screens on the one free side.
- balcobomber25
  May 26, 2016
  You don’t have to use bio-metrics if you don’t want to. There is nothing that forces you to.
Cinegain
May 25, 2016
As a home button or on the side. It ensures reachability and even visibility, so you know what you’re doing. Plus, having it integrated in the home button is just slick. I also don’t like on-screen keys, so I appreciate physical nav buttons to begin with. I don’t find rear ones placed that conveniently most of the time and it results in poorer accuracy.

provokanter Tabellenführer
May 26, 2016
Back, no matter the form/shape
Front isnt very practical and physical home button already looks retarded on its own
Nilzie
May 26, 2016
Preferably integrated in the glass but front fingerprint is obviously better since you can unlock the phone when its laying down.
Karly Johnston
May 26, 2016
It has to be on the front to unlock while it is laying down. The ideal would be using the screen itself.

Guest
May 26, 2016
For me, whatever.
The important is that there are physical buttons, not capactive buttons.
- provokanter Tabellenführer
  May 26, 2016
  Physical buttonS? Plural? Is there even a phone which has more than one physical button?
  Or are you perhaps missunderstanding what is what:
  – physical button is what Apple and Samsung and Meizu have… a single home button which is physically a “real button”
  – capacitive button is what for example the Redmi series has… three “fields” beneath the display which are touch sensitive and act as buttons
  – and then there is onscreen buttons, thats what Huawei and Sony have on most of their phones… Buttons on the screen rather than the housing
Adam Nazifi
May 26, 2016
For me i love frontal, in fact i lose interest in phones with rear finger print no matter how good they are, i hate it
yalok
May 26, 2016
I like it on the back. The form can be round or square as long as it matches the overall design language. Haven’t ever tried the side ones though.

Zealer
May 26, 2016
I prefer front scanner,,, Cubot S9 ,,half-circular scanner, it looks interesting, like Chinese steamed bread, LOL
Adam Irvine
May 26, 2016
Front circular scanner.
Nilzie
May 26, 2016
Preferably integrated in the glass but front fingerprint is obviously better since you can unlock the phone when its laying down.

Karly Johnston
May 26, 2016
It has to be on the front to unlock while it is laying down. The ideal would be using the screen itself.
Cham
May 26, 2016
Front like Meizu its perfect
Roberto Tomás
May 26, 2016
Is not so much the shape as the size. Small ones err too often. So I imagine large, rear sensors are best.

Adam Nazifi
May 26, 2016
For me i love frontal, in fact i lose interest in phones with rear finger print no matter how good they are, i hate it
yalok
May 26, 2016
I like it on the back. The form can be round or square as long as it matches the overall design language. Haven’t ever tried the side ones though.

yalok
May 26, 2016
I like it on the back. The form can be round or square as long as it matches the overall design language. Haven’t ever tried the side ones though.
Zealer
May 26, 2016
I prefer front scanner,,, Cubot S9 ,,half-circular scanner, it looks interesting, like Chinese steamed bread, LOL
Adam Irvine
May 26, 2016
On the back how huawei invented it
Cham
May 26, 2016
Front like Meizu its perfect

Roberto Tomás
May 26, 2016
Is not so much the shape as the size. Small ones err too often. So I imagine large, rear sensors are best.
Lupo
May 26, 2016
On the back how huawei invented it

Joel Adames
May 26, 2016
I enjoyed this article a lot. It does address an important but subjective point.
Anyways I do see myself attracted to rear centered positioned fingerprint scanners but would prefer them to be always the same shape and a tad smaller as the camera outer lens cover (for stethics)
That said I see a SIDE MOUNTED solution as the one to go as it is available the phone on the table either side and a great positions for camera shutter if enabled.
Joel Adames
May 26, 2016
Another point is that I do not like any “on screen” solutions as if it breaks is one less button to be able to help yourself while in the wait for a repair.

Joel Adames
May 26, 2016
I enjoyed this article a lot. It does address an important but subjective point.
Anyways I do see myself attracted to rear centered positioned fingerprint scanners but would prefer them to be always the same shape and a tad smaller as the camera outer lens cover (for stethics)
That said I see a SIDE MOUNTED solution as the one to go as it is available the phone on the table either side and a great positions for camera shutter if enabled.

Joel Adames
May 26, 2016
Another point is that I do not like any “on screen” solutions as if it breaks is one less button to be able to help yourself while in the wait for a repair.
Hakim Farouk
May 27, 2016
It’ll be great if the screen itself scans. haha. if that’s not possible I’d go for side cause generally, that’s how we hold our phones.

Hakim Farouk
May 27, 2016
It’ll be great if the screen itself scans. haha. if that’s not possible I’d go for side cause generally, that’s how we hold our phones.
Kekrembeç
May 27, 2016

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