Why do phone manufacturers use in-display fingerprint readers instead of fingerprint readers on the power button?

Submitted ⁨⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨fididosooe@lemmy.ca⁩ to ⁨[deleted]⁩

I had two Samsung flagship phones, one (S20FE) had an optical fingerprint reader and the other (S22) had an ultrasonic one. Both of them somewhat regularly failed to read my finger, were slower than a fingerprint reader on the power button and are more expensive to build.

Meanwhile my $90 Android phone has a fingerprint reader on the power button. It never fails and I never have to perfectly place my finger on the sensor area to get it to work. It just seems like the perfect place to put a fingerprint sensor, so why do phone manufacturers keep using in-display fingerprint readers over the cheaper alternative?

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TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I miss when it was on the back, right around where you put your finger when you pick up the phone.

The underscreen one is a major downgrade and I gotta fumble with it a few times to get it to work, usually.

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- Thavron@lemmy.ca ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Yessss. I had a Nexus 6P and the back fingerprint reader was amazing. Still probably the best phone I’ve had.
  
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- RisingSwell@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  My underscreen one is excellent and works 99% of the time. That still leaves it significantly worse than rear fingerprint sensor. RIP the best unlock method.
  
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- MeatsOfRage@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Biggest thing I miss about the old Pixels was this because you could swipe it to pull the notifications bar down. It worked system wide so you could during a game or video just pop it down to check time or settings and just flick it away.
  
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  - TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Yo whaaat? I can still do that on my Note 20 ultra. That’s part of my workflow
    
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  - Klaymore@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    It’s great. I also downloaded DigiLux so I can swipe left and right to change brightness as well.
    
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- WR5@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I have a Google Pixel 5 and it’s in a great location for me. It’s right where my thumb generally rests.
  
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- Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  This so much! And it’s eragonomic no matter which hand you use. My new phone has it on the power button and it’s just ok. I miss having a rear touch sensor.
  
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foggy@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
The S9 had the fingerprint reader centered on the back. It was awesome.

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- Imprudent3449@lemm.ee ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Plus you could use it to drop down the notification window with a gesture. It was handy.
  
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- Canadian_Cabinet@lemmy.ca ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  As did the Pixel 2. Still miss the back scanner
  
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  - wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Nexus 6P / 5X all the way to Pixel 5 had it.
    
    While I miss the rear scanner, I have had no issues with the under-display type in the 6/7/8. I see people online every time this topic comes up, screaming that it’s awful, but… cannot reproduce, ticket closed.
    
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Ashiette@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I think tht answer might be because of marketing.

For me, I dislike both the ower button AND the screen fingerprint reader. The power button because I like to access my lockscreen and not to be catapulted in the last app I was using ; the screen reader because it’s messy and oftentimes doesn’t work correctly. My newborn has been able to unlock my phone, multiple times…

What I really miss was the fingerprint reader on the back of the device. It was convenient, fast, precise and let me access the lock screen.

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- DontTreadOnBigfoot@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Yep, the pixel 4 was my favorite phone in recent history, largely because of the rear mounted fingerprint sensor.
  
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  - XeroxCool@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    I had a 3a and thought I loved the rear reader, but apparently I have my phone flat on a desk or in a stand often enough that I really do prefer the front reader
    
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- Nightsoul@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Why not just tap the screen of your phone to see just the lock screen? It’s especially convenient my phone is sitting on my desk, just double tap
  
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- Red_October@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  For my part, I don’t have all of my fingers scanned into the reader (Which is on the power button), so it’s easy to just use a different finger in the event that I want to access my lock screen specifically.
  
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Voltage@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Optimal fingerprint reader placement is on the back of the phone. You can just pick it up slide your finger on it and boom on to the home screen. Just want to see the time? Just press the power button and see the lockscreen.

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- thermal_shock@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I’m mixed on this. I have had the S9 for 6ish years, since launch. I love that it’s on the back. except having to pick it up to unlock it lol. so 80% of the time it’s amazing, which I guess is good enough.
  
  also, pro tip, add multiple finger prints, both thumbs, and index, etc. so you can unlock it in multiple grips and don’t need a single finger available to get in.
  
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- SolOrion@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Agreed completely. I have an S23 rn, but my previous phone was a mid-tier android with a fingerprint reader on the back. My natural resting grip on my phone would just unlock the thing. It was amazing. My current phone is a clear upgrade in every way except the fingerprint reader. My new one has it in the screen and I fuckin hate it.
  
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- davidagain@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I deduce that your phone never randomly locks while you’re using it as a satnav. Lucky you.
  
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- Maalus@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  My under the screen fingerprint sensor allows me to take out my phone from my pocket already unlocked. No button presses, no fiddling with finger placement on the back, it just works and is fastest.
  
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  - ikidd@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    IDK how you manage that since there’s no tactile feedback to know when your finger is in the right spot on the screen. I have to be very precise with mine so I have to look at it every time.
    
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xmunk@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Power buttons are often covered by cases and, since they’re usually a weak spot for water proofing, it’s more effective to have a case that fully covers the button. In-screen readers (like what I have on my Samsung A71) tend to be good enough most of the time.

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- sushibowl@feddit.nl ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  It really depends on the sensor tech. The fingerprint reader in my pixel 7 pro is absolute dogshit. I’ve heard the pixel 9 line improves things though.
  
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  - lemmyng@lemmy.ca ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Pixel 8 user here - the in-display fingerprint reader is fine, as long as my finger isn’t super dry (which happens regularly). So I’m regularly licking my finger to unlock the device like some boomer that’s used to doing it from turning pages in a book.
    
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  - halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    My Pixel 6 never could read my right thumb, maybe 2% of the time. You know, the one used 99% of the time by a right handed person.
    
    My Pixel 9 Pro Fold with the sensor in the power button has worked 99% of the time so far with all registered fingers in all manner of grips. Almost too good honestly, since it unlocks sometimes accidentally when picking it up.
    
    That said, the rear sensor was still the best placement.
    
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  - Dave@lemmy.nz ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    I have a Pixel 7 Pro and have never had an issue. I don’t have a screen protector on, if that makes a difference.
    
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potentiallynotfelix@lemmy.fish ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I don’t know but I prefer fp sensors on the back of the phone because my fingerprint is also up there naturally.

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- eronth@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Yes! I’m so sad they’ve moved away from this. I could pull out my phone AND unlock it in the same grab.
  
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- corroded@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I can’t find a decent screen protector for my Galaxy S23, no matter how I try, and it’s all due to the damned in-display fingerprint reader. Any adhesive-style screen protector has an open area for the fingerprint reader, and it’s either a different material or a different thickness; they all look like shit. I’ve tried the screen protectors that use a UV-cured adhesive, and they’re messy, difficult to apply properly, and generally a pain in the ass.
  
  I’ve relegated myself to not using a screen protector at all, but considering my pocket lint scratches my screen, it sucks.
  
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  - resonate6279@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Armorsuit protectors have worked well for me on s21 and s22 phones. Might be worth trying.
    
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makyo@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Not an expert but I’d suppose it’s nothing more than marketing getting in the way and insisting on an over engineered solution because it’s flashy

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mp3@lemmy.ca ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I had a power button fingerprint reader in the past (Moto G7 Plus) and it wasn’t great as I’m left handed. My thumb ends up on the opposite side of the screen, so I had to use my index which isn’t ideal.

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LordCrom@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Remember kids, don’t use fingerprint to unlock your phone. Use a passcode. Cops can force your fingerprint if they want to look through your device, but they can’t force you to reveal a password

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- tiny@midwest.social [bot] ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Android can be configured to require a pin after a reboot which is an ok compromise if you want to invoke the fifth amendment
  
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  - Revan343@lemmy.ca ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Every android phone I’ve had that had a fingerprint reader required a pin/pattern on reboot by default
    
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- ech@lemm.ee ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Most phones have an emergency lockdown that will require a passcode, fwiw.
  
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- Emerald@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  It’s all a balance. I don’t want to punch in my PIN in front of everyone either.
  
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- LemmyFeed@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Also put a pin on your SIM card so they can’t clone it.
  
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Blackmist@feddit.uk ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
My Pixel 7 has the fingerprint reader behind the screen and it’s awful. Unless you’ve got the greasiest fingers of anyone who ever lived, it fails to log you in.

Instead the face recognition kicks in, and then fails when you try to make a payment, asking for your fingerprint again.

It’s fucking aggravating.

My crappy old Huawei thing has a separate panel for fingerprints and it never failed to work.

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- cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  They said the same about the 6 but honestly it works pretty well for me most of the time.
  
  Sorry, I have God fingers I guess. blessed by the finger maiden.
  
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  - WhyFlip@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    The fingerprint readers on the Pixel 6, 7, and 8 all fucking suck.
    
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- independantiste@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  The pixels from 6 to 8 use an optical fingerprint scanner, and optical scanners almost universally suck, because they use a tiny camera to see your finger through the display on your phone. Most phones including the pixel 9’s include an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which is more reliable, faster, doesn’t flashbang you in the dark, and has the potential to be much bigger (think lower half of the phone is the fingerprint scanner).
  
  I haven’t had trouble with under display fingerprint scanners since I had my S23 (ultrasonjc), but my previous has an optical one and it was the worst thing I’d used.
  
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  - Blackmist@feddit.uk ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    I’ve used standalone optical readers before, and the ones that worked well had a slightly tacky rubbery-plastic layer on them, that I think helps with making the fingerprint stand out. Obviously can’t do that on a screen, because it’d be weird.
    
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SatyrSack@lemmy.one ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Wow, that is the opposite of my experience. I have only had problems with the power button fingerprint readers. My last three phones have used in-display readers, and that has been so much more reliable for me.

I do still use my Pixel Tablet, which uses a power button fingerprint reader for some reason, and I am constantly fighting with it.

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captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I like the side-mounted power button fingerprint reader on my S10e. It’s fast, it works, it’s in a location I can use with either hand since the phone isn’t the size of a gaming monitor.

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pycorax@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
The fingerprint sensor on the power button isn’t the main reason why I got my Fold 6 but it’s such a small thing that sweetens the deal a lot. I absolutely detest screen based fingerprint readers.

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FleetingTit@feddit.org ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I would hate that so much. The power button is for turning the screen off!

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- amorpheus@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  It does.
  
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SomeGuy69@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
It’s much better to reach. I’ll never buy a phone again without finger print reader below the screen. On my S10 it’s also very reliable. It works 95 of 100 times and those 5 times my finger was just weird on the screen and not centered.

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- ikidd@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I loved the Pixel 4 I had with the reader on the back. My finger was already there when I picked up the phone, and it was way more accurate than the one on the screen of my 6.
  
  Miss that phone, except for the nightmare charging port.
  
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  - Flying_Hellfish@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    You could also swipe down on the reader to bring down the notification tray, I miss that fingerprint reader every day.
    
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- TheRealKuni@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I will admit when I went to the Dark Side I was shocked by how much I like Face ID. I do miss having the in-screen fingerprint reader when I’m wearing a mask, SOMETIMES, but even that has improved in the time I’ve owned an iPhone.
  
  But yeah, on my OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition and OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren Edition (damn I loved those phones so much) the in-screen reader was excellent.
  
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  - SomeGuy69@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    I use my phone on 10% brightness, in a completely dark room often (every day, every morning, every night). Not sure about you, but I guess face-ID doesn’t work then.
    
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kraftpudding@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Ok, so how does this work with phone cases?

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- fididosooe@lemmy.ca ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  My phone’s case has a cutout for the power button.
  
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  - kraftpudding@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    But wouldn’t that let water and dirt inside the case, just like the camera cutouts? I already hate those
    
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FurtiveFugitive@lemm.ee ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
For a while, there was a patent on it, at least in he US. I remember having to root a Sony phone to enable the fingerprint reader on the power button about 10 years ago.

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- Letme@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I miss my Xz1 Compact
  
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  - FurtiveFugitive@lemm.ee ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    That’s the one!
    
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  - yaMatt@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    I want to up vote this more
    
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Stoposto@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I don’t understand why “FaceID” isn’t more of a stardard on Android. I remember people online complaining when Apple got rid of TouchID on their phones, yet anyone who use FaceID quickly forget that fingerprint skanners are a thing. It works so fast and you don’t have to complain about where a sensor might be on a device, if you can see the screen the screen the device is unlocked.

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- xigoi@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  The unlocking flow is slower. With the fingerprnt scannerb I just put my finger on the screen and go. With face recognition, I have to turn on the screen, wait for it to pick me up, then swipe to unlock.
  
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  - Stoposto@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    That might be an android flow, not ios. On my iPhone I pick up th phone and it turns on screens by itself and unlock instantly
    
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- jbk@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Large iPhone notches are kinda ugly compared to the simpler notches in most other Android phones. Also, maybe there’s tons of patents by Apple. Could be why I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an Android phone that does more than a simple 2D facial scan with the normal camera
  
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  - Stoposto@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    My friend got an nudged android and it seems very bad implemented where it covers content in many apps and it had no functionality like it does on iPhone. On iPhone it’s part of the notification system showing you info from other apps, for an example the timer app shows the time while cooking in nudge while I am on lemmy. Yes on a side by side screenshot it seems alot worse than using my old Motorola next to my IPhone, the “dead pixel” nudge on Android seem to annoy people alot more
    
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- billybong@lemmynsfw.com ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Not quite, you have to have the camera angled at your face. If the phone is flat on your desk it won’t unlock unless you lean right over it.
  
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  - Stoposto@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    I don’t usually use my phone while it’s flat on a table, but I can say FaceID does work at an angle, because I just tap the screen and it reads my face and shows me notifications (I don’t have always on turned on and have hidden notifikation content behind the login as well)
    
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Banichan@dormi.zone ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Motorola does it on the power button

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toastynugs@sh.itjust.works ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Sony phones have this

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burgersc12@mander.xyz ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Cause its cooler to not need to have a button uncovered.

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not_woody_shaw@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Foldables have it on the side/power button but are priced as if they had 100 ultrasonic fingerprint readers under each screen.

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