A long-rumored feature will finally become a reality on Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 7. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has reportedly been confirmed to include the technology of an iris scanner, which will be supplied by camera module maker Patron, according to a new report.
Each year, Samsung launches a new model of its popular Galaxy Note phablet series, it includes several new features and hardware to entice new users to buy the S Pen-equipped smartphone, and current Note users to want upgrade to the latest generation of the device.
When Samsung officially launched the Galaxy Note 5 last August, it contained all of the high-end specs and gorgeous display the company is famous for but also brought the premium glass and metal design (which was first introduced on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge) to the Note lineup. The device was also rumored to ship with an advanced iris scanner, something that's been said to be coming to each Samsung flagship smartphone since 2013's Galaxy S4.
We reported back in December that a source claimed the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge were going to launch with more expensive price tags because the company was going to include an advanced iris scanner. That feature never came to fruition, and it has been reported that iris scanning will make its debut on the Galaxy Note 7, which is expected to launch on August 2.
According to a new report from the Korea Herald, a Korean camera module-maker, Patron, had won a bid months ago to be the full supplier of iris scanning biometric modules that will be part of the Galaxy Note 7's main features.
The publication points out just how much more secure iris scanning technology is compared with fingerprint scanners found in most high-end smartphones. A fingerprint can recognize 40 traits, while an iris scanner can recognize 266 traits for much greater accuracy.
The most recent reports claim that Samsung is planning to use a large 5.8-inch dual-curved edge display and Snapdragon 823 chip. It will include 64 GB and 128 GB internal storage options, as well as a microSD expansion slot to further increase its space. The phablet will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box and enhanced S Pen support for use with its curved display, in addition to a 12 megapixel rear camera and waterproof case.
We'll keep you posted on any additional Samsung Galaxy Note 7 news as it becomes available.
