[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics has decided not to include fingerprint sensors under the screen of its next-generation Galaxy S models, according to local news reports on Nov. 8.



The tech giant will instead likely place the fingerprint scanner on the back of the Galaxy S9 and its larger-sized variant S9 Plus, just like the preceding models.











The reports came amid speculation that Samsung has now finalized the hardware specifications of the new Galaxy duo, for which it began pilot production in October. The mass production will begin in December.

For the past couple years, Samsung has attempted to adopt the in-display fingerprint scanner in its premium smartphone phones but failed to do so due to technical difficulties. As the bezels of the phone become slimmer with a larger display-to-body ratio, Samsung is struggling to find places to install modules and sensors, which were previously located under the bezels.



Ditching the fingerprint scanner that allows users to authenticate themselves on the screen for the Galaxy S9 does not mean Samsung will give up on the biometric technology. It is anticipated that Samsung will once again try to deploy the technology on the Galaxy Note 9, which will likely be introduced in August next year.



“Samsung won’t get rid of fingerprint sensors in its handsets, as there many services and platforms run based on the technology,” said an industry watcher who wished to be unnamed.



The smartphone maker is reportedly working to install the fingerprint sensor under the screen of the Galaxy Note 9, whose development project has been named as “crown.”



By Kim Young-won ( wone0102@heraldcorp.com )