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After a myriad of leaks, Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. The new foldables went official at the Unpacked event in Paris on Wednesday. They arrive with some major hardware upgrades and some not-so-major. A few things, meanwhile, remain completely unchanged. The fingerprint reader, for example, is still a side-mounted capacitive sensor. It has now been revealed that Chinese firm Goodix supplied these sensors.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 use Goodix fingerprint sensors
Samsung foldables have featured a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor since the first-gen Galaxy Fold in 2019. While some rival companies have started using an under-display ultrasonic sensor, the Korean conglomerate has stuck to the more traditional fingerprint technology. Its reasoning might be that a side-mounted sensor embedded into the power button allows you to unlock the device swiftly in both folded and unfolded states.
Switching to an under-display solution requires two separate sensors. Vivo’s X Fold series uses two fingerprint sensors, one each under the cover and inner display. Moreover, capacitive sensors are equally good, if not better than under-display sensors. They are fast and reliable. In some use cases, these sensors might be more practical too. You can just place your finger on the power button while picking up the phone, and it’s ready to use right away.
As such, it’s no surprise Samsung kept the traditional sensors on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. A new report from SamMobile says the side-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensors on the new Galaxy foldables are made by Goodix. While the Korean firm didn’t specify this during the launch event or anywhere on its official marketing materials, the publication seems to have received the information from a reliable source.
Goodix has been a Samsung supplier for the past several years. The Chinese firm also makes under-display fingerprint sensors, both optical and ultrasonic. Google’s Pixel phones used Goodix’s optical sensors but rumors say the upcoming Pixel 9 series will switch to an ultrasonic sensor from Qualcomm. It’s the 3D Sonic Gen 2 (QFS4008) sensor, the same as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Since ultrasonic sensors are better, it’s a welcome change.
The new Samsung foldables are up for pre-order
Samsung opened Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 pre-orders immediately after the launch event in Paris. The new foldables start at $1,099 and $1,899, respectively. General sales will begin on July 24, though pre-orders might ship early. The Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and Galaxy Ring, which debuted alongside the foldable duo on Wednesday, are also available for pre-order.