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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110

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.

21

u/uchoom 4d ago

Think it was the LG G2 that had the finger print scanner on the back that was the most ergonomic and natural location that my finger would go to AND you could use it to scroll up and down. Goat setup

12

u/OhBuggery 3d ago

I remember the glory days with my Pixel 2, that rear fingerprint scanner that you could also swipe down on for notification bar was perfect

6

u/Hoodie_Patrol 3d ago

And it was insanely quick at unlocking the phone as well.

3

u/asfletch XZ1 Compact->Pixel5->Xiaomi 15 3d ago

Pixel 5 too!

4

u/Fredderov OnePlus One 3d ago

The LG G2 was such a great phone. It just felt so neutral too use.

2

u/gswyvlzwjcknmcrqhdcv 3d ago

Also knock code.

2

u/CarnalT 1d ago

I'm still using an LG G8 as my daily... rear mounted fingerprint scanner, face unlock, headphone jack w/ quad DAC, SD card slot....... I really don't know what to upgrade to.