Smartphones: The Rapid Evolution of Mobile Technology and Biometrics
The evolution of smartphones, undeniably the foremost device for Internet access, has accelerated dramatically.
This surge, fueled by competitive zeal and continuous innovation, has revolutionized sectors such as e-commerce, social media, online banking, and search engines, generating substantial revenues for component manufacturers from Sony to Snapdragon.
The omnipresent touch screen has democratized smartphone accessibility, while advancements in biometrics have fortified this ease of use.
Although public familiarity with biometrics may be uneven, Apple’s Face ID and Android’s fingerprint technologies stand out as prevalent examples in today’s market.
In a strategic move, Synaptics and Qualcomm have aligned forces as OLED screens gain traction in smartphones. Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic Gen 2 ultrasonic fingerprint sensor delivers seamless biometric authentication in devices like the Google Pixel 9 and 10, as well as Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
Employing ultrasonic pulses to map the intricate patterns of a user’s fingerprint, these scanners enable under-OLED-display authentication at remarkable speeds, exhibiting enhanced performance against moisture and dirt when juxtaposed with earlier optical sensors.
Goodix maintains a market leadership position with its economically viable optical biometric sensors, while simultaneously developing ultrasonic variants.
Its technology is featured in Samsung’s latest multi-folding phone. Nevertheless, ultrasonic sensors present challenges; users often must precisely position their fingers within a defined area on the screen.
This predicament is precisely where Next Biometrics envisions a significant future.
Next has entered into a partnership with Taiwanese firm Giantplus Technology to create a prototype for full-screen fingerprint authentication.
This initiative follows the recent approval of a U.S. patent aimed at facilitating authentication across an entire display through advancements in fingerprint sensing technology.
Next and Giantplus are committed to commercializing this “anywhere-on-display” biometric innovation, aspiring to present a prototype at Mobile World Congress 2027, the premier mobile technology trade fair.
Giantplus, a specialist in small to medium display technologies, will lend its expertise in display integration as Next endeavors to embed biometric fingerprint sensors throughout the smartphone screen surface.
Consumer Concerns: The Intersection of Device Security and Biometrics
Smartphones serve as pivotal interfaces for e-commerce, banking, and payment systems, while increasingly forming integral components of global digital identity frameworks. It is fair to assert that smartphones harbor a wealth of personal data.
“Security is paramount for consumers,” remarks Avi Greengart, lead analyst at Techsponential, a consumer technology research firm.
In dialogue with Biometric Update, Greengart emphasizes that Apple has crafted extensive advertising campaigns emphasizing its privacy features, while Samsung promotes its security platform, Knox. Security constitutes a cornerstone of brand integrity, yet the technology must achieve near faultlessness.
“Apple and Samsung are recognized leaders in security and biometrics; however, their substantial supply needs lead them to exercise caution in adopting untested innovations,” he notes.
Runar Bjorhovde, senior analyst for smartphones and connected devices at research firm Omdia, reinforces that consumer satisfaction wanes when devices fall short of expectations.
“From a consumer viewpoint, security is a critical yet complex area for vendors to navigate,” he explains to Biometric Update. “While research indicates that security is a concern, many consumers hesitate to invest significantly for enhanced safety.”
“Should security features falter, it poses a substantial risk. As a result, vendors often allocate significant resources to ensure readiness for customer issues,” he adds.
Greengart points out that while Apple’s Face ID provides a more seamless experience than fingerprints, it incurs greater costs in terms of components and spatial requirements.
iPhones have maintained a distinct design for years, while Android devices trend towards a more immersive display format.
Secure as these biometrics may be, usability and convenience frequently triumph in consumer preferences. However, this dynamic shifts in the corporate sphere.
“A substantial portion of globally sold smartphones serves business purposes, rendering it strategically vital for many vendors,” Bjorhovde elaborates.
“While it may present a challenging market, it often entails large-scale sales accompanied by software and service contracts.”
“In this realm, security and compliance are non-negotiable,” he underscores.
Phone theft and fraud are rampant; thus, Google has integrated features within Android that trigger device lockdown upon detecting suspicious motion via accelerometers and gyroscopes.
In a testament to this burgeoning sector, Californian startup MagicCube has successfully procured $10 million, backed by Verifone, to advance its initiatives beyond mobile payments and into biometrics and AI-driven identity verification.
The Disruptive Frontier: Foldable Smartphones
Ulf Ritsvall, CEO of Next Biometrics, declared that anywhere-on-display authentication represents a “long-anticipated innovation” following the partnership announcement with Giantplus.
The Norwegian entity has secured a loan of nearly one million dollars to facilitate ongoing product development.
Although comparatively small, Next Biometrics stands to benefit from the technology industry’s history, laden with narratives of smaller companies achieving meteoric growth upon unveiling a successful product — Nvidia being a recent high-profile example.
Next is specifically targeting functionality that permits the entire screen to operate as a fingerprint sensor. This concept gains tremendous relevance with the ascending popularity of foldable devices.
Once regarded as novelties, foldable smartphones now command attention, particularly innovations like the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold. This device has garnered acclaim for its ability to fold twice, expanding into a substantial tablet-like interface, despite its considerable price tag.
Goodix disclosed its contributions to both the main and sub-screens, as well as capacitive fingerprint sensors incorporated in the Galaxy Z TriFold.
With whispers of a forthcoming foldable iPhone, the so-called “iPhone Fold” is speculated to shift from Face ID to Touch ID, according to Tom’s Guide.
Bjorhovde notes the “disruption” ushered in by advanced display technologies, highlighting the transformation in form factors — flip, fold, tri-fold, and dual displays. Tech giants such as Samsung, Google, Huawei, Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Motorola have all unveiled models embracing these novel designs.
“Crafting a more adaptable and user-friendly device could yield significant advantages for all users, including the elderly or those with motor impairments,” Bjorhovde suggests.
“Enhancements that streamline device locking and unlocking will likely encourage consumers to adopt more secure biometric methods,” Greengart posits.
Conversely, potential setbacks loom. Technical challenges and cost concerns remain substantial. “Power consumption, expenses, and display quality are predominant issues for manufacturers,” Bjorhovde comments.
A significant aspect of the consumer technology narrative hinges on engineering efficiencies and cost management, alongside marketing strategies (a topic Biometric Update plans to explore in the near future). However, Ritsvall revealed last April that Next had entered an NDA with a “smartphone leader,” indicating substantial interest from industry players.
Next faces the formidable task of demonstrating scalable manufacturing capabilities while ensuring cost-effectiveness, yield reliability, and quality assurance. Should they secure a breakthrough, the implications could be transformative.
The ability to authenticate a fingerprint anywhere on a touchscreen may seem trivial; however, given the sheer volume of touchscreen devices globally, such minor advancements could signify a monumental stride in biometric technology.
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