Galaxy S9 might not come with that one feature we’re all waiting for

The latest report from South Korea alleges that the upcoming Galaxy S9 won’t feature an in-display fingerprint scanner; instead, it’ll be placed on the back of the device just like its predecessor.

The biggest question that arose out of this year’s design trend was the placement of the fingerprint reader: with all major manufacturers moving towards elongated screens and bezel-less bodies, there simply isn’t room for a fingerprint scanner on the front of the smartphone anymore. Most companies, including Samsung, have decided to move it to the back (though Samsung’s approach has frustrated many) while Apple has decided to do away with it altogether.

The problem with having a fingerprint scanner on the back of the phone is that it can be awkward sometimes but more importantly, you can no longer just unlock your phone with a simple tap and use it without lifting it up from your kitchen countertop. That’s why consumers have been and still are waiting for in-screen fingerprint scanners. In-screen fingerprint scanners are not an impossible technology, but there are security concerns with the versions that exist today. Plus, for a company like Samsung, yield rates and ability to mass-produce matter significantly.

Although it would have been nice to see this technology inside the next Galaxy flagship, unfortunately, the latest rumor claims that Samsung won’t be able to incorporate it into the Galaxy S9 duo in time. The same report states that the electronics giant will instead place the fingerprint scanner on the back of the device, just like the Galaxy S8. However, it’s not yet clear whether it will continue to sit awkwardly and inconveniently right next to the camera lens.

While the Galaxy S9 is set to enter mass production in December with its fingerprint scanner on the back, the Galaxy Note 9 will reportedly have a higher chance of featuring an in-screen fingerprint scanner. According to the aforementioned report, Samsung is expected to try once again to “deploy the technology on the Galaxy Note 9, which will likely be introduced in August next year.”

Does it matter if the Galaxy S9 comes with an in-screen fingerprint scanner or not? Do you think Samsung will change the position of the fingerprint scanner on the S9? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!