New Sharp Aquos S2 Expected to Have In-Display Fingerprint Sensor

It looks like Sharp’s next big smartphone is going to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor.

That’s what leaked images suggest, at least, as they depict a smartphone with a full-size screen coming in at about 5.5″, with no discernible fingerprint sensor on the rear of the device, or anywhere else. The device, dubbed the Aquos S2, is expected to feature 4K resolution in its display, a minimal bezel, and a front-facing camera that cuts into the top of the display; and 9to5Google, at least, seems to be quite confident that the device will also feature an in-display fingerprint sensor, going so far as to speculate that the technology comes by way of Qualcomm, which recently announced sensor technology that could scan through an OLED display.

The feature could add some competitive pressure to Apple, which has reportedly been struggling to integrate its Touch ID fingerprint scanning system into the display of this year’s new iPhone. Sharp has only just invited members of the media to a launch event scheduled for August 8th and it isn’t yet clear when the Aquos S2 would hit the market, but even the arrival of such a device a few months after the launch of the iPhone 8 would prove to be something of an embarrassment for Apple, allowing Sharp to boast that its smartphone technology is even more innovative than that of the world’s top prestige brand.

Then again, a recent report from a prominent investment firm analyst expressed confidence in Apple’s ability to deliver on in-display Touch ID this year. In any case, what is increasingly clear is that in-display fingerprint scanning is an important new trend in mobile biometrics.

Sources: 9to5Google, Phone Radar