Introduction
Apple first used fingerprint recognition to unlock phones on the iPhone 5S. Other manufacturers followed, but early fingerprint modules were immature. Samsung initially used a swipe-to-unlock method that required rubbing the sensor and received widespread criticism. Chinese manufacturer Meizu later adopted a press-type fingerprint module from Goodix on the MX4 Pro, following Apple’s example. Other vendors also added fingerprint modules to flagship models; for example, Huawei used a rear fingerprint solution on the Mate 7 with a module supplied by FPC.
By early 2015, fingerprint unlock had spread beyond flagship devices to lower-priced models. As the technology matured, unlock experience improved and consumers increasingly accepted fingerprint unlocking; support for fingerprint unlock became an important consideration for many buyers.
Background
Fingerprint unlocking first appeared on personal computers. Because PC encryption had limited application scenarios, fingerprint unlocking on PCs was not widely adopted. Mobile devices, however, carry more sensitive personal data, making secure and convenient unlocking more important. PINs and pattern locks have security limitations and can be inconvenient for users. Apple invested heavily in fingerprint unlock technology and acquired AuthenTec, which led to Touch ID; this helped drive broader adoption of fingerprint unlocking across consumer devices.
Fingerprint Module Vendors
Goodix Technology, a Shenzhen-based company founded in 2002, focuses on capacitive touch chips, fingerprint recognition chips, and related solutions. Its fingerprint solution drew attention when it was used on the Meizu MX4 Pro.
Fingerprint Cards AB (FPC), based in Gothenburg, Sweden, is a publicly listed company. Financial reports showed substantial growth in 2015: in the first half of 2015 FPC reported gross profit of approximately $190 million (1.59 billion SEK), compared with a full-year gross profit of 337 million SEK in 2014. This growth reflects broad adoption of its products.
AuthenTec, founded in 1998 and listed on NASDAQ in 2007, is known for its TruePrint technology. Apple acquired AuthenTec in 2012 for $356 million; its products are now used only in Apple devices.
Synaptics, based in San Jose, California, is well known for laptop touchpads. In 2013 Synaptics acquired Validity for $255 million and formally entered the fingerprint market. Early Synaptics swipe-type fingerprint modules were used in the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Note 4 and were criticized for usability issues.
There are more module vendors than these four, but these are the main suppliers widely used in phones. Adoption of Goodix products has been limited; even Meizu later switched to FPC. The current landscape is dominated by three ecosystems: Apple (AuthenTec), Samsung (Synaptics), and non-Samsung Android vendors (FPC).
Swipe-type fingerprint sensors have largely been abandoned. Synaptics moved to press-type sensors, which are used on Samsung devices from the Galaxy S6 onward. FPC modules can perform off-screen unlock with very low power consumption, while other vendors generally require the screen to be lit for fingerprint authentication.
Test Devices and Scope
The test lab selected ten phones for this comparison: two Apple models, two Samsung models, and one model each from other manufacturers. The set includes products using modules from the four vendors described above. The sample leans toward mid-to-high-end devices; retail prices were mostly above CNY 2,000, although the Meizu MX4 Pro is an older model and has declined below this level. All tested devices ran their official release software versions up to the test date.
Current fingerprint unlock user experience is mainly affected by authentication success rate and unlock speed. Manufacturers often highlight fast unlock speed in marketing, sometimes claiming to surpass Apple. This test compares fingerprint unlock speed across ten popular models to present a realistic view of current performance and to examine how unlock speed influences user experience.
