The Google Pixel 9 trio is using Qualcomm's 2nd gen ultrasonic fingerprint reader

2024-08-14

The Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL were announced yesterday with a host of improvements over the 2023 generation, among which is a new, faster fingerprint reader that is built into the OLED display. Even though the optical fingerprint reader of the Pixel 8 series was better than what came before, it still wasn’t as good as what other brands had.

For the 2024 generation, the optical reader is gone, replaced by a Qualcomm 3D Sonic Gen 2 (an ultrasonic reader). Google claims that it is 50% faster than the reader on the Pixel 8 phones, Qualcomm says that it is the “world’s fastest ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor”.

The reader should work reliably, even if your fingers are wet, and it has anti-spoofing technology that allows it to reject imposter photographs and fake molds of your finger. The sensor measures 8x8mm in size (0.3x0.3in).

The fourth new phone from yesterday, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, has a side-mounted fingerprint reader, so it uses a traditional capacitive sensor.

The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL will be out next week, the Pixel 9 Pro will be out in early September. Here are pricing details for the new series.

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