Galaxy S10's ultrasonic fingerprint sensor works with light scratches

Everyone will be asking how accurate and quick the in-display fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy S10 is, but a question most won't ask is whether the fingerprint sensor is affected by scratches on the screen. Well, JerryRigEverything has not only asked that question, he has also inflicted some damage on a Galaxy S10 for a real-life test. And it seems the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor on the S10 works well with light scratches, the kind that you'll see on devices owned by regular consumers who don't put a knife to their flagship smartphone.

For those wondering how an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor works, this video by Qualcomm should give you an idea. Basically, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor transmits high-frequency ultrasonic sound towards the finger when you place it on the sensor and maps out the details on your finger based on how much sound is absorbed and how much of it is reflected back to the sensor after hitting the finger. And with light scratches, it seems this process remains unaffected, but the sensor fails to work with more serious scratches and cracks.

As mentioned earlier, though, it shouldn't be an issue with day-to-day wear and tear. Samsung is also putting a basic screen protector on the Galaxy S10 out of the box to ensure it can survive some everyday abuse, so just make sure to treat your phone with care and that in-display fingerprint sensor should have no trouble working as it's intended to.

Abhijeet Mishra - Editor-in-Chief

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First Samsung device: SGH-D500

Abhijeet's writing career started with guides for custom firmware for Samsung devices (including the original Galaxy S), and he moved to SamMobile in mid-2013 and worked up the ranks to Editor-in-chief. In addition to phones and mobile devices, his interests include gaming on both PC and console, PC hardware, and spending countless hours on YouTube watching videos on tech, movies, games, politics, and internet dramas.

Via Phone Galaxy S10