Smartphone security is paramount in this day and age, and fingerprint scanners hold a special place as the most advanced and popular biometric authentication options.
The common password is not obsolete just yet, but an increasing number of high-end devices now promise better security through fingerprint scanners. Not all function the same, and some are more reliable than others, so here are the top seven smartphones with fingerprint scanners:
1. iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus
Apple first introduced a fingerprint reader with its iPhone 5S, which launched with Touch ID. It's widely considered among the most reliable fingerprint readers, able to accurately identify fingerprints regardless of the orientation of the finger. Touch ID enables users to touch the home button to unlock their device or authorize a payment, and adds extra functionality with Apple's latest-generation smartphones. With the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Touch ID allows users to rely on biometric authentication to make mobile payments through Apple Pay, the company's NFC-based mobile payments system.
2. Samsung Galaxy S6/Galaxy S6 Edge
Samsung's latest flagship smartphones boast advanced specs and features all around, including touch-based fingerprint scanners for extra security and functionality. Older models such as the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 used swipe-based fingerprint scanners that were considered rather unreliable, but the new generation Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge boast touch-based fingerprint readers that are more accurate. Samsung is also expected to launch a mobile payments system of its own soon, allowing users to make payments via Samsung Pay using the fingerprint reader. Samsung Pay should launch sometime this fall.
3. HTC One M9+
The HTC One M9+ powerhouse rocks a high-resolution q-HD display and top specs all around. Not only does the device have more powerful specs compared with the regular One M9 flagship, but it also boasts a fingerprint scanner. The HTC One M9+, however, is available only in China for now.
4. Huawei Ascend Mate 7
The Huawei Ascend Mate 7 is a six-inch phablet with high-end specs and a sleek metal design. The phablet also features a touch-based fingerprint scanner like Apple and Samsung's latest flagships, and the sensor allows users to unlock their device even when the screen is off. The Huawei Ascend Mate 7 also comes with limited availability for now, however, currently retailing only in European and Asian markets.
5. Oppo N3
The Oppo N3 comes with several neat features, and the fingerprint sensor is among the highlights. The touch-based fingerprint scanner proved to be accurate most times (roughly 9/10). Moreover, the fingerprint reader also allows users to control the motorized swivel camera, which is a neat addition.
6. iPhone 5S
As previously mentioned, the iPhone 5S was Apple's first handset to launch with Touch ID and is widely seen as the one that started the whole fingerprint-scanner trend on smartphones. The iPhone 5S allows users to unlock their device or authorize iTunes purchases in a fast and reliable manner. It's worth pointing out, however, that the Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the iPhone 5S doesn't pack an NFC chip, which means that it won't work with Apple Pay.
7. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Samsung launched three high-end smartphones with fingerprint readers in 2014, and the Galaxy Note 4 phablet is one of them. The swipe-based fingerprint scanner gracing the Galaxy Note 4 received some criticism over its accuracy but also some praise for its features. The phablet enables users to register up to 10 fingerprints and use each individual fingerprint to launch a certain app. The accuracy of its fingerprint reader may be questionable, but the Galaxy Note 4 still remains one of the top Android phablets currently available on the market.
