Samsung could embark on the wave of 3D facial recognition on their devices, which took over the mobile industry standard since Apple introduced the Face ID on iPhone X.
The Android Pie firmware released by Samsung for the Galaxy S9 line and Galaxy Note 9 shows this possibility. A user on the XDA Developers forum found the code in the Samsung system application for biometric security that suggests the Korean giant will introduce something called the Time of Flight (ToF) sensor.
ToF 3D detection technology works by measuring the time a pulse of emitted light takes to be reflected the sensor, with that data used to create a 3D map of an object (a face in this case).
However, it is important to note how – and if – this technology will be compatible with the Galaxy S10. Competing devices such as the Huawei Mate 20 Pro have a ToF sensor separate from the front camera, and the slot function is to house all of these components just like iPhones.
From what rumors and leaks point to, the Galaxy S10 will come with a hole for the front camera, and there is no room for anything else on the screen. Although, the leaks do have pointed to a possible integration between the front camera and the facial recognition sensor.
Since Samsung has already detailed screen technologies that rely on only camera slots, integrating the two elements (camera and 3D face detector) would be the only way to offer a Face ID compatible recognition system.
The only thing that can be said from this firmware is that Samsung will have 3D facial recognition technology in the future, but it is worth noting if this feature will make its debut in the Galaxy S10 or if, as announced by DJ Koh recently, this technology arrives first to intermediate models rather than prior to the company’s flagships.
