The first phone with an in-display fingerprint scanner was the Vivo X20 Plus UD, which was announced in January. Since then, we’ve seen quite a few other smartphones with this technology from companies like Huawei, OnePlus, and Oppo, with more manufacturers expected to hop on the bandwagon soon — including Samsung.
The main advantage of in-display fingerprint scanners is they are hidden from sight, giving smartphones a cleaner look, but the technology isn’t perfect. In-display fingerprint scanners aren’t as fast as traditional ones located below displays or at the back of devices, but we expect to see improvements in this area soon.
Huawei Mate 20 Pro
The Mate 20 Pro was announced a few weeks ago and is the best phone in Huawei’s lineup. It’s also one of the best phones you can get, offering top-of-the-line specs and a gorgeous design.
The Mate 20 Pro has an in-display fingerprint scanner, a triple-camera setup, and 3D facial recognition.
In addition to the in-display fingerprint scanner, the phone also has a triple-camera setup on the back — just like the P20 Pro and LG V40. It also comes with 3D facial recognition, which we haven’t seen on a lot of Android phones so far, and can double as a wireless charging pad. That means you can charge your Qi-compatible phone by placing it on the back of the Mate 20 Pro.
Like the Galaxy S and Note smartphones, the Mate 20 Pro has a curved display. Unlike Samsung’s flagship, it sports a notch. The phone comes with a massive 4,200mAh battery — the biggest in its class — but doesn’t have a headphone jack on board. It’s already available in Europe, retailing for 900 pounds in the U.K and around 1,000 euros (~$1,145) in the rest of Europe. Unfortunately, Huawei said the phone will not release in the U.S.
Specs
- 6.39-inch AMOLED display with 3,120 x 1,440 resolution, 538ppi
- Kirin 980 chipset
- 6GB of RAM
- 256GB of storage, expandable up to 256GB via NM (nano memory)
- 40, 8, 20MP rear cameras, 24MP front camera
- Non-removable 4,200mAh battery
- Android 9.0 Pie
- 157.8 x 72.3 x 8.6mm, 189g
Read more
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- Huawei Mate 20 and 20 Pro specs: There’s a clear winner
- Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro vs the competition
OnePlus 6T
The OnePlus 6T is a minor upgrade over its predecessor. In addition to an in-display fingerprint scanner with an unlock time of .34 seconds, it also sports a so-called waterdrop notch approximately 75 percent smaller than the one on the OnePlus 6. The phone also has a larger 3,700mAh battery (up from 3,300mAh), a bigger 6.41-inch display (up from 6.28 inches), and comes with 128GB of base storage instead of 64GB.
It’s not all good news, though. OnePlus decided to ditch the headphone jack, meaning you’ll either have to opt for Bluetooth headphones or use a USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter, which is included in the box. There’s also no wireless charging or official IP rating.
Most of the other specs and features are the same as the OnePlus 6. These include the Snapdragon 845 chipset, 6 or 8GB of RAM, and the same dual-camera setup on the back. The handset starts at $550, making it $20 more expensive than its predecessor, but the phone offers twice the storage at 128GB. You’ll be able to order yours from November 6 on OnePlus’ website.
Specs
- 6.41-inch AMOLED display with 2,340 x 1,080 resolution, 402ppi
- Snapdragon 845 chipset
- 6/8GB of RAM
- 128/256GB of storage, non-expandable
- 16 and 20MP rear cameras, 16MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,700mAh battery
- Android 9.0 Pie
- 157.5 x 74.8 x 8.2mm, 185g
Read more
- OnePlus 6T announced: smaller notch, no more headphone jack
- OnePlus 6T first impressions: All about trade-offs
- OnePlus 6T specs: Everything you wish the OnePlus 6 was (but the headphone jack)
- OnePlus 6T: Where to buy, when, and how much
- OnePlus 6T vs OnePlus 6: The many differences (and many similarities)
Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition
A few other things besides the in-display fingerprint scanner make the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition stand out. The phone features 3D facial recognition and a transparent back, which allows you to see the internals of the device — sort of. It’s also the first handset to boast dual frequency GPS navigation technology.
Don’t miss: These are the best Xiaomi phones
The Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition is a flagship sporting a large 6.21-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, the Snapdragon 845 chipset, and 8GB of RAM. The phone also has a dual-camera setup on the back and packs 128GB of storage. It’s a great phone overall — with a few drawbacks. There’s no headphone jack on board, it doesn’t support expandable storage, and it has a rather small battery for its size, at 3,000mAh. There’s also no IP rating.
Like all Xiaomi’s products, the Mi 8 Explored Edition offers a lot of value. It launched with a price tag of 3,700 yuan in China (~$535). It wasn’t officially released in the U.S. or Europe, so you’ll have to buy one from Chinese retailers like GearBest, which currently sells it for $680.
Specs
- 6.21-inch Super AMOLED display with 2,248 x 1,080 resolution, 402ppi
- Snapdragon 845 chipset
- 6/8GB of RAM
- 64/128/256GB of on-board storage, non-expandable
- Dual 12MP rear cameras, 20MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,000mAh battery
- Android 8.1 Oreo
- 154.9 x 74.8 x 7.6mm, 177g
Read more
- Hands-on: The controversial Xiaomi Mi 8 offers incredible value for money
- The Xiaomi Mi 8 is the iPhone X clone nobody wanted: How did we get here?
- Xiaomi Mi 8 specs: Should OnePlus and others be on the lookout?
Vivo Nex
The Vivo Nex is a futuristic smartphone. In addition to packing an in-display fingerprint scanner, it also has extremely thin bezels around the display and doesn’t feature a notch. The company achieved this by placing the selfie camera inside the phone — it pops up from the top edge when you open the camera app. According to Vivo, the moving mechanism can be raised and lowered up to 50,000 times without a problem, which should be good enough even for those who take a lot of selfies.
The small bezels also mean Vivo had to get creative with the speaker. The phone features a technology called Screen SoundCasting, which basically turns the screen into a speaker. A vibration motor transmits sound through the screen, so you can place your ear anywhere on the display during a call to hear the other person.
The Vivo Nex is a high-end phone, with a 6.59-inch Full HD+ display, the Snapdragon 845 chipset, and up to 8GB of RAM, It also sports a dual-camera setup, a 4,000mAh battery, and up to 256GB of storage. There are some omissions — there’s no microSD card slot, IP rating, and wireless charging. The phone is available in China, India, and a few other markets, but it hasn’t been released in the U.S. or Europe. However, you can get it from GearBest for $640.
Specs
- 6.59-inch Super AMOLED display with 2,316 x 1,080 resolution, 338ppi
- Snapdragon 845 chipset
- 8GB of RAM
- 128/256GB of storage, non-expandable
- 12 and 5MP rear cameras, 8MP front camera
- Non-removable 4,000mAh battery
- Android 8.1 Oreo
- 162 x 77 x 7.98mm, 199g
Read more
- Vivo Nex review: Frustratingly imperfect, undeniably desirable
- Pop-up cameras: Which does it better, the Vivo Nex or Oppo Find X?
- Vivo Nex specs: More than meets the eye
Meizu 16 and 16 Plus
There’s a lot to like about the Meizu 16 and 16 Plus. They look great thanks to their thin bezels around the display, lack of a notch, and simple glass backs. Both come with top-of-the-line specs including the Snapdragon 845 chipset, up to 8GB of RAM, and, of course, an in-display fingerprint scanner. There’s also a headphone jack on board.
The main difference between the two devices is the display size.
The main difference between the Meizu 16 and 16 Plus is the display size. The Plus model measures 6.5 inches, while the regular version sports a 6-inch screen. Other differences can be found in the battery and storage departments, which you can check out in the specs section below.
The biggest problem with the two phones is availability. The phones are only available in select Asian markets for now, though they’re expected to make it to Europe. You can still get them, but you’ll have to order yours from one of the many Chinese retailers that ship worldwide. One of them is AliExpress, which is selling the Mezu 16 and 16 Plus for $430 (6GB/64GB) and $560 (6GB/128GB).
Specs
Meizu 16
- 6.0-inch Super AMOLED display with 2,160 x 1,080 resolution, 402ppi
- Snapdragon 845 chipset
- 6/8GB of RAM
- 64/128GB of storage, non-expandable
- 12 and 20MP rear cameras, 20MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,010mAh battery
- Android 8.0 Oreo
- 150.5 x 73.2 x 7.3mm, 152g
Meizu 16 Plus
- 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 2,160 x 1,080 resolution, 374ppi
- Snapdragon 845 chipset
- 6/8GB of RAM
- 128/256GB of storage, non-expandable
- 12 and 20MP rear cameras, 20MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,570mAh battery
- Android 8.0 Oreo
- 160.4 x 78.2 x 7.3mm, 182g
Read more
Oppo R17 Pro
The Oppo R17 Pro packs a little less power under the hood than the phones above, sporting a Snapdragon 710 chipset. However, it has a few features you won’t find on other handsets.
The Oppo R17 Pro has a triple-camera setup on the back.
The first one is a triple-camera setup, which is different than those of the Huawei P20 Pro and LG V40. It features a 20MP main lens, a 12MP secondary lens, and a “3D stereo camera” lens, which is supposedly more for AR features than camera snapshots. The phone also has two batteries, both with a capacity of 1,850mAh — 3,700mAh in total. Working in tandem, Oppo claims the maximum charging power is close to 50W and you’ll get a 40 percent charge in only 10 minutes.
Other specs and features include an in-display fingerprint scanner, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Unfortunately, there’s no headphone jack or an IP rating for protection against water and dust. The phone launched in China with a price tag of 4,300 yuan (~$620). No word on when or if it will come to Western markets, but you can order it on AliExpress for $710.
Specs
- 6.4-inch AMOLED display with 2,340 x 1,080 resolution, 402ppi
- Snapdragon 710 chipset
- 8GB of RAM
- 128GB of storage, non-expandable
- 20 and 12MP rear cameras + “3D stereo camera”, 25MP front camera
- Two Non-removable 1,850mAh batteries — 3,700mAh in total
- Android 8.1 Oreo
- 157.6 x 74.6 x 7.9mm, 183g
Read more
Vivo V11 (V11 Pro)
The Vivo V11 — called V11 Pro in some markets — is a mid-range device with a few features generally found on flagships, like an in-display fingerprint scanner and a near bezel-less design with a waterdrop notch.
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The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 660 chipset, features 6GB of RAM, and has a 6.4-inch Full HD+ display. It also sports a headphone jack and a dual-camera setup on the back. The selfie snapper comes in at 25MP and offers an AI Face Shaping feature for modeling and beautifying your face.
The device has a few drawbacks, though. There’s no NFC, wireless charging, or a USB Type-C port, among other things, but it is one of the more affordable phones with an in-display fingerprint scanner you can get. It’s available in India for 26,000 rupees (~$355). Oppo hasn’t revealed if the phone will release in Europe or the U.S.
Specs
- 6.41-inch Super AMOLED display with 2,340 x 1,080 resolution, 402ppi
- Snapdragon 660 chipset
- 6GB of RAM
- 128GB of storage, non-expandable
- 12 and 5MP rear cameras, 25MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,400mAh battery
- Android 8.1 Oreo
- 157.6 x 74.6 x 7.9mm, 156g
Read more
- Vivo V11 Pro review: well done basics with half-baked extras
- Vivo V11 specs: A mid-range smartphone with an in-display fingerprint scanner
- Vivo V11 Pro launched in India: A mid-range smartphone that goes beyond the basics
These are the best phones with in-display fingerprint scanners in our opinion, although there are a few other great options to choose from. Which ones would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments.
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