r/Android • u/iamryanmsd • 4d ago
Face Unlock vs. Fingerprint Scanner: What’s your main way to unlock your phone?
Hey everyone, just curious what the split is like here.
I’ve been using a phone with a fast fingerprint scanner for a long time, but a lot of newer devices are putting a massive emphasis on upgrading their biometric Face Unlock setups to work better in pitch-black low light.
If your phone has both options available, which one do you actually find yourself using more throughout a normal day? Do you prefer the instant speed of face unlock or the reliable muscle memory of a fingerprint sensor?
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u/timbotheny26 Google Pixel 10a 4d ago
Fingerprint. I prefer not having to look at my phone to unlock it.
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u/RegularHistorical315 4d ago
I have both set up on my S24 Ultra by the time I tap the screen to bring up the Fingerprint scanner, Face Unlock has usually already unlocked the phone. I still find the fingerprint great for unlocking banking apps and any other app that can make use of Biometrics so I find both worth having.
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u/Datkif 4d ago
This is pretty much how I use biometrics. Face unlock is usually fast enough that the fingerprint sensor hasn't registered, but having the fingerprint for off angle unlocking or apps saves a lot of time
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u/RegularHistorical315 3d ago
You make a good point about "off angle unlocking" I never mentioned that as until you mentioned it I did not relise I do that too.
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u/NextyPlaYz 14h ago
how? you just gotta press screen once and it's unlocked with fingerprint
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u/RegularHistorical315 9h ago
I wouldn't lie to you. I pick the phone up to use it before I can tap the screen to unlock it with my finger, face unlock has already unlocked it.
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u/Miraclefish Galaxy Foldy Boi 3d ago
Never once used factual recognition, never will. Fingerprint and pattern.
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u/9-11GaveMe5G 2d ago
Pattern is trash comparatively. Turns out there like 10 common patterns 99% of people use
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u/Bigdyll13 4d ago
Passcode.
Am American.
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u/Disturbed2468 S26U 512GB 3d ago
Can still run either or and just press and hold the lock key to disable biometrics basically instantly. Also restarting to BFU also force disables biometrics.
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u/Itsatemporaryname 3d ago
bfu?
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u/Disturbed2468 S26U 512GB 3d ago
Before first unlock. Phones are usually much more difficult to crack because not only do biometrics not work and major system components are disabled until unlocked, you can't search through volatile memory for cryptographic keys to find an exploit easier, as volatile memory is one of the few times where you MIGHT be able to find hashes and other bits of information currently in use by the system needed for certain processes to function.
Newer phone models and latest updates from the likes of Samsung and Apple make things harder even if the phone has already been unlocked once and is now on AFU i.e. after first unlock, BFU makes things even way more difficult. At that point, the only realistic way to crack open a phone using say a cellebrite for example is by trying to find a zero day exploit.
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u/MassiveClusterFuck 2d ago
You're not always gonna have the ability or time to do that though, numeric pin/pattern will always be more secure than biometrics
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u/mememes2000 3d ago
Am not American. Please explain why
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u/Rorynator Pixel 7 3d ago
You have a right to refuse to enter a passcode to the police to grant them access to a device in America, but this law does not apply to fingerprints and face ID
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u/SwimmingThroughHoney 2d ago
Just for what it's worth, this is not correct across the entire country. Certain jurisdictionz have ruled otherwise. It's still a rather complex and split issue.
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u/pheonixblade9 Samsung S8 Active, Google Pixel 3 2d ago
It applies to locations within 100 miles of an international port of entry which is basically everywhere.
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u/CarnalT 1d ago
How does that work with a fingerprint? They can physically grab your hand and touch it to the phone? And what happens if you physically refuse by keeping your fists closed? The face unlock I guess is easiest for them since they can just hold the phone up towards you.
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u/hmantegazzi Moto G84 7h ago
You can retrieve fingerprints from virtually anything a person has touched, and most fingerprint scanners will accept a crude reconstruction of the finger, with the oldest even admitting a photocopy of an adhesive tape negative.
Also, an armed agent, law enforcement or not, can force you to present your fingers or face to unlock a device.
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u/celtekk_ 1d ago
It's trivial to lockdown the phone.
Do you live in constant fear that authorities are going to force you to unlock your phone?
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u/hmantegazzi Moto G84 7h ago
Keep in mind that a person has been accused in the US of obstruction of justice for using a panic button function in their phone with a custom Android ROM.
And yeah, if you live in a country where covert agents of an unregulated paramilitary force are raiding houses and workplaces at random and taking people in unmarked vans to who knows where, it's reasonable to be cautious.
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u/Boysahne69 3d ago
You're not that important, lil bro. 😭😭😭
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u/Entropy612 2d ago
Bitch please.
Like you dont record when a cop searches your car or you always keep a baggie under your seat ?
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u/mrandr01d 4d ago
I really like having both. Fingerprint works if my face is covered or my phone is lying down, and face works if I'm wearing gloves or my hands are wet or something.
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u/Djimi365 3d ago
Have both enabled but fingerprint is just faster and more reliable. Same as any system I have tried really. With fingerprint unlock the phone is unlocked before it's even out of my pocket.
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u/AirRun8 4d ago
I have the Zenfone 10 and one of the main features I bought it for was the side mounted fingerprint scanner. I love using the gesture to pull my notifications down. I've used it on my Galaxy s8, note 9 and now Zenfone 10.
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u/FizixMan Xperia XZ1C, Zenfone 10 4d ago
Same here. The effortless and instantaneous unlock as I pull it out from my pocket is perfect.
I've used it on my Galaxy s8, note 9 and now Zenfone 10.
Sadly, not sure where to go from here; there's no functional successor that doesn't have some compromises. Hoping my Zenfone 10 lasts a long time
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u/Anaptyso 4d ago
I used to love my old Pixel from years ago which had a fingerprint scanner on the back, just where a finger naturally rests when holding the phone.
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u/Talrynn_Sorrowyn 4d ago
Fingerprint on all devices since I got my first S7 - I refuse to use facial recignition anywhere.
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u/nathderbyshire Pixel 10 Obsidian 2d ago
It's... Not facial recognition? It's storing a biometric in the exact same way the fingerprint does
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u/Trashbagok 4d ago
Both setup, whatever gets me unlocked faster wins. Usually face.
Outside of home or work, I manually lock it so it requires a pin.
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u/Dislike24 4d ago
The only one with both 3D Face Unlock and Fingerprint is Honor right now. I haven't look at Huawei recent phones but they also had it
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u/ronakg Pixel 10 Pro XL 4d ago
Pixels have had fingerprint and Class 3 face unlock for a while.
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u/Dislike24 3d ago
I know they have Class 3 Face Unlock. That just means they that app developers can use it instead of fingerprint for lock and unlock stuff in apps. Doesn’t mean it works well in all conditions. Apple implementation and Pixel 4 is way better
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4d ago
[deleted]
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u/Dislike24 4d ago
They don't. Only using the front camera which is fine in normal lightimg but doesn't work at all in the dark
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u/CarelessCoconut21 3d ago
Fingerprint as banking authentication on Android requires this one as a quick sing in and I find dumb to have both on
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u/jonsonsama Galaxy s22 ultra 3d ago
I miss the days when galaxy phones (s8, s9 and I think s10?, plus note 8 and 9) had iris scanners
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u/raaheyahh 3d ago
I think people should always use a pin. Especially if you have opinions that aren't popular with your local govt.
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u/pheonixblade9 Samsung S8 Active, Google Pixel 3 2d ago
PIN because it has a higher burden on law enforcement than biometrics.
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u/Oddball- Pixel or Bust 3d ago
FaceID is infinitely better and its not even remotely close for me.
The face Pixel doesn't have true FaceID is disgusting to me.
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u/_CouldntThinkOfOne__ 3d ago
No but it does use a larger sensor and is the only android device using level 3 security for face unlock on bank apps etc. it's the only android device in the US at least that generally works in poor lighting.
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u/Oddball- Pixel or Bust 3d ago
I have P11 Pro. and they did say works slightly better in the dark, but thas only because has a slliiightly larger opening for more light. But that's just marketing. Needs true FACEID with flood light and illuminator like iphone.
Still very nice to have on pixel . I love it to death. But it needs true dark face scanning. Been far too long imo
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u/nathris Pixel 9 Pro 3d ago
The fact that I could pick up your phone and say "hey look this video" and have it unlock is disgusting to me.
Like how is Face ID even considered secure? Just do swipe to unlock at that point.
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u/PeterFlinstone 3d ago
At one point you trade some security for convenience. I someone has your phone in hand, I think there are some bigger problems at hand
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u/gordolme Galaxy Fold 8 OneUI 9 4d ago
Fingerprint. I have the F8 that has the fingerprint reader in the side button, which I have configured for a long press opens the shut down / restart menu - which locks out the biometrics requiring the use of the pin/password.
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u/MagnusAlbusPater 4d ago
I liked the fingerprint scanner when Apple used to have it since I could unlock without looking at the phone.
FaceID is fast enough that it works almost as well though. Occasionally it’ll just have an issue if it’s too dark and I’ll just have to fall-back to typing in the passcode.
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u/DucAdVeritatem iPhone 11 Pro 4d ago
The way FaceID works means it will perform at its absolute best in the pitch dark (it is a self illuminating IR system, so it’s worst enemy actually tends to be very very bright directional light, not darkness). So not sure what you’re experiencing…
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u/nizasiwale 4d ago
I think he is talking about the Android implementation of "face id" not the Apple one, most Android phones just use the normal camera
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u/trickster721 3d ago
Fingerprint. Taking the fingerprint sensors off the back was a terrible decision. Now I have to tap the screen to wake it up, and then use the fingerprint sensor to unlock, adding an extra step.
Using facial recognition is like if somebody was trying to think up the most ridiculous and inefficient possible method of unlocking your phone, as a joke. Should we assign functions to different facial expressions? There's also a perfectly good microphone, so why not just whisper the password? Why not use the accelerometer to detect a specific dance routine?
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u/pandasps LG G6 dual SIM 3d ago
Out of curiosity I tried unlocking my phone with the screen off. It unlocked instantly, no extra step involved. Might be a brand or OS specific implementation. Mine is a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
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u/trickster721 3d ago
You're right, on my Pixel 10a it's a setting that was turned off (by default?). Thanks!
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u/BevansDesign 2d ago
Neat, it works on my 9a as well. Is that a new feature? I don't remember seeing it when I was setting up my fingerprints when I bought the phone.
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u/teletraan1 Pixel 3 3d ago
What?
Face unlock is super convienant and a good value add.
It's definitely not as secure as fingerprint, but I like being able to unlock my phone without even thinking about it
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u/never0101 2d ago
My pixel 3 xl has the absolute most perfect fingerprint scanner location. It sat almost exactly where my finger would land when picking it up. I miss hardware fingerprint scanners. In screen is just terrible and so much more inconsistent even with years of being used in phones.
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u/nathderbyshire Pixel 10 Obsidian 2d ago
I'm guessing you've never used a face unlock that doesn't just use the camera because those aren't inefficient in the slightest
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u/Lapis_Wolf 3d ago
Fingerprint. I like the capacitive scanners, but phones are moving to optical which is less accurate to look "sleeker and more modern". I'm unaware of any phones using improved facial recognition in lowlight aside from iPhones and maybe some Huawei phones from 2019 with the wider notch. The rest has standardized on the center single punch hole camera.
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u/HearingSubstantial38 1d ago
huh? most recent phones now use ultrasonic fingerprint scanners, which are both more reliable and more secure than even capacitive ones
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u/Lapis_Wolf 1d ago
Most I see are optical. Do you mean most flagships? (Likely less numerous than cheaper models which would use optical.)
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u/HearingSubstantial38 10h ago
Flagships have had it for years, but recent midrangers tend to come with ultrasonic fingerprints too (Poco x8 pro max, oneplus n6, motorola edge 70 fusion, etc.)
I think the only major android company not shipping an ultrasonic sensor on their midrangers is samsung, which always lags behind trends (Si-C batteries, for instance)
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u/RedLimes 4d ago
I use raise to wake with face unlock and skip lock screen turned on but I also have fingerprint unlock enabled so I can use that too if I want to. Pixel 10
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u/Datkif 4d ago
Having both basically ensures that my phone is unlocked by the time it's in position to be used.
Fingerprint is great for when I use my phone off angle, and face unlock is fantastic for work because I usually have gloves on. Thankfully the gloves I use for work register touches well enough that I can do w.e it is I need my phone for at work
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u/suckfail Galaxy S26U 4d ago
I have a S26 Ultra with both enabled but they both suck. I dunno if it's my ugly face or clammy hands but no phone ever works well with me. Face ID fails like 1/4 of the time, and fingerprint maybe 50%.
I hate both.
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u/Datkif 4d ago
I have a S25FE and both face and finger work basically every time. I'll usually put my finger roughly where the sensor is and that usually unlocks my phone by the time it's up to my face. If I misplaced my finger turn face unlock works faster than moving my finger or swiping up
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u/suckfail Galaxy S26U 4d ago
[congrats happy for you meme]
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u/Datkif 4d ago
If you have a screen protector try the setting that increases touch sensitivity. That can help with fingerprint recognition. I also registered both of my thumbs twice as I find that helps increase how well it works.
As for face recognition I dono
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u/Disturbed2468 S26U 512GB 3d ago
Face recognition tends to hate screen protectors in general from what I've researched the past few years. It's why Samsung's official protector has a cutout for the camera.
Apple avoided this by having the main sensor built within the dynamic island so it doesn't interfere with screen protectors that may have messed with them like matte protectors or privacy protectors.
But with the 18, now that it's behind the screen you basically can't use face ID anymore with a matte or privacy protector anymore lmao.
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u/AguirreMA S25U • GW8C 3d ago
the FE has an optical fingerprint scanner doesn't it? I had a Galaxy A34 where my fingerprints were always recognized but then the ultrasonic scanner on my new S25U only works 50/50, idk what the hell is happening, weren't ultrasonic scanners supposed to be better than optical?
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u/treyu1 3d ago
I am having serious issues with the fingerprint scanner on my S26 Ultra. I have very dry fingers and the scanner just won't detect my fingers.. unless I lick my finger first. I know... Face unlock works every time though.
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u/gowithflow192 1d ago
I have ocd and wash my hands a lot and get this issue. I keep a small tub of Nivea handy it works really well a tiny amount to keep my fingerprints readable.
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u/m00nh34d Xperia XZ, Xperia Tablet Z 1d ago
Yeah, same boat, but with a S23. Fingerprints only work if I'm the right temperature, the right humidity, get the right angle, and the right pressure, it feels. Face works some times, but not if I'm wearing a hat, or sunglasses, or not wearing a hat, or sunglasses... Very frustrating experince.
Mind you, in saying that, the fingerprint sensor seems to work a LOT better for payments, either Samsung Wallet or Google Wallet, both us fingerprint for auth, and both don't care anywhere near as much as when I want to unlock the phone.
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u/Disturbed2468 S26U 512GB 4d ago
Yea something is 100% not right with your unit because me and folks who have the S26U have never had such issues, BUT if you are using a privacy screen protector (dunno why you'd ever run one since there's one now built in) or you run a matte screen protector OR a thick glass screen protector I heard both like to bug out very very easily. For both to be always flawless you either got to run a polymer protector like Samsung's official one (at first I was very pessimistic/skeptical but it's been a great buy for me so far past few weeks), or no protector at all. But that can be said too for any other phone.
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u/suckfail Galaxy S26U 3d ago
I don't have a screen protector I don't ever use them and I've had this issue with every phone I've had, S24+, S22 etc.
The eye reader on my old S8 always works though.
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u/Ben_Happy 3d ago
Capacitive fingerprint sensor in the power button is peak by metrics. I'll take any current iteration of a phone with this fingerprint unlock style.
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u/dilldoeorg 4d ago
pattern for safety reasons
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u/AdidasSlav 4d ago
Do you wipe your screen after every unlock? lol. Can’t tell if this is /s
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u/outbound Galaxy S22 4d ago
I use extended unlock; if my watch is connected to my phone, the phone stays unlocked (up to 4 hours). Beyond that, I use fingerprint.
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u/HaryanaTimes24 4d ago
Fingerprint for me, side-mounted ones especially. That unlock-as-I-pull-it-out-of-my-pocket feeling is unbeatable. Face unlock is convenient, but it always feels slower when the phone is lying on a desk or I need to use it from a weird angle. Honestly having both set up is the ideal setup.
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u/TacoOfGod Samsung Galaxy S25 4d ago
Fingerprint. Galaxy S25 has the ultrasonic scanner so I don't need to look at my phone or turn on the lockscreen to open it. No need to use anything else.
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u/nnpryh Samsung A25/S8 / Poco M3 Pro / Huawei Y9 Prime 3d ago
Fingerprint scanner for me - be it at the back (both for my Samsung S8 despite unfortunate placement & Huawei Y9 Prime) or on the power button (both Samsung A25 & Poco M3 Pro)
Only my S8 runs another biometric option, being the iris scanner
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u/treyu1 3d ago
I use face unlock more often than the fingerprint scanner on my Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It's mainly because the fingerprint scanner really blows. You can press it until your face turns green without anything happening, all because your fingers are too dry to be detected... I don't want to have to lick my finger every time I need to unlock the phone.
I never once had any issues with the fingerprint reader on my Sony Xperia 1 V. It just worked. It was in a better location as well :-)
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u/KaneNova 3d ago
ultrasonic fingerprint sensors are far too good for me to use face unlock even as a fallback
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u/AguirreMA S25U • GW8C 3d ago
4 digit PIN, I just stopped giving a fuck about it some time ago, I even have the extend unlock thing so it stays unlocked when I'm wearing my watch
wish I could use the fingerprint scanner but my fingerprints are damaged
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u/Notorious_jib 3d ago
Fingerprint and pin. I feel like the face recognition isn't always immediate with my s25u
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u/FacebookBlowsChunks 3d ago
PIN lock I used to use the fingerprint unlock when my hands were mostly occupied and it was easier to just touch the screen and unlock. But the dumbass fingerprint reader would keep randomly disappearing forcing me to have to put the stupid PIN in. So I just disabled it. Might as well just use the PIN all the time since it's rather pointless to turn on something for easy access, that doesn't even STAY on!
I used to just use the swipe to unlock for the longest time. But this phone loves to be fucking stupid and literally keep the screen on after a missed phone call. Not always able to answer while it's in my pocket, it'll be pressing stuff on the screen in my pocket. Pass lock was the only thing that stopped it. Stupid ass Samsuck couldn't even send out an update to fix it!
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u/real_with_myself Magic V3 3d ago
Fingerprint preferred. I have face recognition on my iPad and both laptops and I'm not a fan. Although, fingerprint sucks on Lenovo too.
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u/motthew68 3d ago
I tend to think of face unlock on my Galaxy S25FE as being less secure than fingerprint. However, this thread has prompted me to create a Routine to run face unlock at home, where security isn't an issue, but I might benefit from the extra convenience. I do have it set as unlocked at home anyway, but every now and then it still locks itself.
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u/Lfcgeraldine 3d ago
Fingerprint is better, faster and more efficient on my 2 current Xperia phones, they are right sided for easier access. Face recognition is too slow as a former iphone user.
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u/slasherzx 3d ago
Pixel 11's facial recognition is really fast and can be use for banking if there is enough light and there's the fingerprint too which is fast and accurate.
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u/idksomuch Z Fold6 3d ago
Fingerprint sensor because every phone I've had has one. Most android phones don't have a true face unlock sensor system like iPhones and mainly just uses the camera to look at your face which obviously isn't as secure. I have an iPhone assigned to me for work and I loathe FaceID. I have to tap the screen to turn it on, look at the device (can't change this because there's sensitive info on the device so I don't want it less secure), then swipe from the bottom edge to go to the home screen. Compared to almost every modern android device where I can just rest my finger on the sensor even from screen off which will then take you straight into your home screen? Way, waaaay better. It seems to be a common theme on Apple devices where everything takes an extra step to accomplish the same thing on completing products even if that's not necessarily true,it sure does feel like it. I turn off lift to wake on every one of my devices as well because I hate having the screen come on with every little nudge hence the tap to wake for FaceID on my iPhone. Lift to wake has been off since its inception on every one of my android devices. I don't know how touchID works on the iPads but hopefully the Duo's TouchID will unlock with your fingerprint from a screen off state because if not then they've time travelled back to 2013.
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u/labe225 3d ago
I have an S22U with both enabled. It's probably about 50/50, but I honestly don't even think about it.
I really wish more Android phones had secure face ID rather than the half-baked solution that is definitely not as secure (hence why I need to use a fingerprint to log in to sites/apps or use Google/Samsung Pay.) Having both Face ID and a fingerprint reader would be pretty great.
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u/JoyfulPorker68 3d ago
Fingerprint is so good though. Why use face if face unlock not required? Google can say whatever they want about it being processed locally. Fingerprint works like 80% of the time and when it doesn't... pattern.
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u/Lucky_End_9420 3d ago
I have a strong dislike for the idea of face unlock. Fingerprint scanner for me all the way
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u/endospores 3d ago
Fingerprint sensor. And periodically phone asks for pin. I don't like face unlock.
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u/No_Department9020 3d ago
Fingerprint. I just trust it more, and it's more convenient (at least for me)
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u/Cute-Consequence-184 3d ago
I have face unlock but it doesn't work if I'm wearing glasses so it will default to pin.
If someone like police tried, I'm always wearing my glasses but I don't read with them at home. So the face unlock only works without my glasses.
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u/MatiasGonzalo-Duarte 3d ago
I won't use facial recognition on any phone without 3d sensors like iPhones use. Fingerprints are fine
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u/martinkem Galaxy S25 Ultra, Android 16 3d ago
Fingerprint unlock is the best for me. It annoys me every time, my iPhone forces me to raise up my head before it unlocks while I'm lying on my bed.
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u/Ranchreddit 3d ago
On my Samsung S21 5G the fingerprint sensor works only about half the time, same for face recognition. The only thing that works consistently is a PIN. I have an app that insists on the phone having a security feature in use, which drives me crazy.
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u/Far_Reserve9938 3d ago
I much prefer faceid from my iPhone because you just don’t think about it. You don’t have to put the finger at one specific location, it’s like using a phone unlocked. You pick it and do what you want to do.
Fingerprints is useful as backup when you can’t get close enough for it to work, typically when I’m in my car and it’s mounted at the front. But that’s an edge case and otherwise you just got to get yourself a bit closer.
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u/companiontoy 3d ago
I loved the iris scanner, perfect when in a quick stop riding my bike wearing a helmet and gloves
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u/teletraan1 Pixel 3 3d ago
I like the face unlock. It's faster and my phone is unlocked faster. I appreciate having to use fingerprint to be able to pay with my phone though
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u/3vidence89 3d ago
I recently disabled face unlock (I had both it and fingerprint enabled) and it works so much better now without both fighting to unlock my phone.
Finger print sensor is just better on Androids
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u/sonastyinc Device, Software !! 3d ago
Fingerprint. I can unlock my phone as I'm raising it up. It saves like half a second every time I use my phone.
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u/d6cbccf39a9aed9d1968 3310 | LG V60 2d ago
A capacitive fingerprint, i dont care how advanced your underscreen scanner.
My LG V20 still unlocks faster than S26. And less errors
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u/andrew_nenakhov 2d ago
By far the best way to unlock the phone for me is fingerprint scanner built in the screen.
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u/Qolourblind 2d ago
Face unlock is only good on iPhone. But fingerprint scanner is objectively the better option regardless
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u/Matt32490 1d ago
Finger or pin. Always been that way. I do have face setup but dont use it that much even though its super quick (S24U).
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u/merccoupe 1d ago
Fingerprint scanner in back of phone. But no one makes them that way now. I like being able to unlock my phone before it was even out of the pocket
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u/NextyPlaYz 14h ago
many people are complaining about screen protectors. i hope people do realise you have to register your fingerprint again everytime you apply new screen protector.
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u/VisualGloss 10h ago
My Redmagic 11s fingerprint reader is so fast, I didn't think it actually worked correctly until I tried having other people unlock my phone. Dang near unlocks my phone before my finger even touches the screen. I prefer it over having to look at my phone. I unlock it as I'm pulling it out of my pocket or picking it up.
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u/hmantegazzi Moto G84 7h ago
Both are terribly insecure, because they only prove your presence, and not your willingness to unlock the device. You can be forced to unlock a device with your finger or your face, but you can always "forget" a password or pattern.
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u/urhumanwaste 4d ago
Numerical code only. No phone will ever get my biometrics voluntarily.
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u/hmantegazzi Moto G84 7h ago
Sadly, in an increasing number of places, not acceding to biometric readings locks you out of way too many essential systems. Here in Chile you cannot use a bank account or activate a pre-paid phone line without biometrics.
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u/LourdeInc 4d ago
And no one will use your fingerprint or photo to access your phone against your will
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u/alilhillbilly 4d ago
Biometrics were cool until it was clear that they're just collecting all that data to use against you.
Face and fingerprint can very easily open your phone in situations where you don't want your phone opened.
Passcode is the method.
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u/benjaminS0099 4d ago
You can always lock down your phone which forces a password login, and there has been at least one court case: Anti-Compulsion / Passcodes Violate Fifth Amendment: Other state high courts—such as Pennsylvania (Commonwealth v. Davis) and Indiana, along with the Utah Supreme Court (State v. Valdez)—have ruled that forcing someone to reveal a passcode is unconstitutional. They hold that a passcode requires "revealing the contents of one's mind," making it a protected testimonial statement. But specifically, the Supreme Court hasn't ruled one way or another.
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u/alilhillbilly 4d ago
It's not particularly easy to lock down an Android phone in a quick emergency though.
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u/LiGuangMing1981 Honor Magic 6 Pro 4d ago
The proper secure face unlock on my Honor Magic 6 Pro is one of my favourite features of the phone. I'd have a hard time switching to another brand at this point because for some reason no other Android manufacturer is doing it properly, and I'm sure as hell not switching to Apple.
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u/Robbitjuice Red 3d ago
For Android I only use fingerprints, since face unlock isn’t pulling anything as advanced as the iPhone is nowadays (not since the Pixel 4, anyway).
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u/davidwal83 3d ago
I use pattern on all my Android devices. I tried finger print but my hands keep getting cut doing work around the house. I only use face ID on my iPhone because it designed to work in most situations. The Android devices I use have terrible front facing cameras to make it work properly.
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u/One_Control4296 4d ago edited 3d ago
Fingerprint scanner because i can use it in the dark as well. And I only use my phone when i pick it up so face unlock doesn't make sense to me.
And it's just not about being able to use it in dark, I prefer fingerprint over face unlock.
Fingerprint biometrics are generally considered better than face unlock because they offer superior environmental consistency, lower error rates, and greater situational convenience. While facial authentication is faster in hands-free scenarios, fingerprint scanning excels in everyday usability and structural design.
Key Advantages of Fingerprint Scanners
• Environmental and Aesthetic Consistency: Fingerprint scanners analyze friction-ridge patterns. They are completely unaffected by poor lighting conditions, total darkness, or accessories like masks, sunglasses, and heavy winter gear that often cause face unlock to fail.
• Lower False Match Rates: Because human fingerprints contain highly dense, distinctive features that are completely static, fingerprint systems generally achieve a lower error rate than facial recognition. Face unlock can be influenced by changes in facial expressions, swelling, or aging.
• Off-Angle and "Flat Surface" Convenience: If a phone is laying flat on a desk or mounted in a car, you can authenticate instantly by placing your finger on the sensor. Face unlock requires you to physically lean over the device or pick it up to align your face with the front-facing camera.
• Discreet and Pre-Emptive Unlocking: Thanks to muscle memory, users can touch a physical or under-display sensor to unlock their device while pulling it out of a pocket. The device is completely ready to use by the time it reaches eye level.
• Better Display Ergonomics: Advanced smartphone fingerprint readers sit seamlessly under the screen or on the power button. Secure 3D facial recognition requires hardware like infrared projectors, resulting in a large notch or island cutout that permanently protrudes into the screen real estate.
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u/LiGuangMing1981 Honor Magic 6 Pro 4d ago
If it's proper face unlock (like Apple or Honor) then it works in the dark.
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u/asfletch XZ1 Compact->Pixel5->Xiaomi 15 3d ago
Fair to say most Android phones don't have proper face unlock then...
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u/One_Control4296 3d ago
It's about convenience. I feel very comfortable with fingerprint as compared to face biometric.
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u/Apple-Connoisseur 3d ago
How ANYONE, would prefer fingeprint is beyond me. You gotta look at your phone anyway, so why would you prefer touhing a specific spot on the phone, when you could just grab it in any way you wanted?
To be fair, I use an iPhone, and the last time I used it on a Phone was in 2020, now I only have it on my iPad and I really kinda hate it.
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u/Ben_Happy 3d ago
My phone can be unlocked before it makes it in front of my face. And the unlock button is right where I pick up my phone, in the power button. Then I'm already at the home screen. Your phone still requires swiping up on the screen to get to the home screen after looking at it.
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u/ANS__2009 3d ago
I have a side mounted one. So the fingerprint is the power button and when I turn it on, it automatically unlocks
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u/Apple-Connoisseur 3d ago
I tab the screen to turn it on, if I actually use it then I have to pick it up anyway and it's unlocked.
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u/asfletch XZ1 Compact->Pixel5->Xiaomi 15 3d ago
Yep - side mounted on Xperia and rear mounted on pixel 5 were both great. Not such a fan of screen ones like I have now, but still prefer them to face unlock. Same goes for windows - Hello cameras never work for me, so I have a USB fingerprint scanner for my desktop (decent laptops have them built in, at least as an option).
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u/TheyCallMeSuperChunk Pixel 3 (previously Nexus 6P, Nexus 4, HTC EVO 4G) 3d ago
How anyone prefers face scanning is beyond me. With contactless payments there's a good amount of times where I don't need to bring my phone up to my face and I still need to unlock it as I'm bringing it from my pocket to the payment terminal (or my bus/transit scanner).
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u/Apple-Connoisseur 3d ago
It works at an arms length, at least on the iPhone, so no need to "bring it up to your face", just look at it when you take it out of your pocket...
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u/nathderbyshire Pixel 10 Obsidian 2d ago
You don't need to bring it up your face either, just look at it and it unlocks lol
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u/moofish2842 Galaxy S24+; other random devices 4d ago
Face unlock will never replace fingerprint for me. I want to unlock my phone without picking it up. That was a major holdup on my Galaxy S8+. I miss the side-mounted sensor on my budget Samsung and Motorola phones. The one downside was that cases have to have a huge cutout for them. The in-screen reader on my S24 ultra works fine even with a screen protector, and I used Goodlock so that I can pull down my notification shade with a gesture (swipe down from the side of the screen) so that feels similar enough to have me satisfied.