Synaptics announces what could be the Samsung Galaxy S8 fingerprint scanner

It has long been rumored that the Samsung Galaxy S8 might feature a nearly bezel-less display, with minimal bottom bezels. This created other rumors, saying that the fingerprint scanner on the next Galaxy will probably be under the screen's glass, instead of being integrated into a physical home button.

Today, Synaptics, one of Samsung's suppliers of fingerprint scanners, announced a new model, which could very well make a commerical debut in the Samsung Galaxy S8. The new “optical fingerprint sensors are designed for placement under the cover glass, including 2.5D glass, located in the front, bottom bezel of devices”, says Synaptics. And this sounds awfully familiar to what we've been hearing so far.

The new fingerprint scanners will also excel at working with wet fingertips, so you shouldn't have any problems using them in the shower, unless your device isn't waterproof, which will raise more important concerns than whether you can unlock your phone with a single finger.

Since the sensor will be hidden behind the glass of its respective smartphone, it should also be more durable. We will have to wait and see, though, if scratching the glass above it will affect its performance.

If rumors are to be believed, we won't have to wait too long, as the new Samsung flagship should be released in Spring, 2017.