Are Google Fans Really Missing This Classic Pixel Feature?
Google fans are feeling nostalgic for a familiar feature that has disappeared from the Pixel lineup. The Pixel phones once boasted a convenient design element that users are now clamoring for a comeback.
The Original Pixel Charm: Fingerprint Scanner on the Back
The original Google Pixel phone, dating back to 2016, introduced users to the convenience of a fingerprint scanner positioned on the back of the device. This design persisted through subsequent models, including the Google Pixel 5 in 2020, garnering praise for its speed and accuracy.
Voices of the Community: Calling for Fingerprint Scanners to Return
Echoes of longing have emerged from Google fans reminiscing about the past. Users opine that the rear fingerprint sensor offered unmatched speed and reliability, ensuring seamless unlock transitions. As one fan nostalgically expressed, “Yeah I miss the back fingerprint sensor.”
The Shift to Under-Screen Sensors: A Divisive Move
In a controversial move, Google’s 2021 Pixel 6 bid goodbye to the back-mounted fingerprint scanner, opting instead for an under-display solution. While some appreciated the innovation of the under-screen optical scanner, others yearned for the familiar touch of the rear sensor.
The Diverging Paths in Smartphone Biometrics
While Google embraced the under-screen trend, other manufacturers chose to abandon fingerprint scanners altogether. Apple, in particular, shifted away from fingerprint recognition with the launch of the iPhone X in 2017, favoring Face ID for enhanced security.
A Look into the Google Pixel Legacy
For those following the evolution of Pixel devices, here’s a quick timeline:
- Google Pixel / XL – October 20, 2016
- Google Pixel 2 / XL – October 17, 2017
- Google Pixel 3 / XL – October 18, 2018
- Google Pixel 3a / XL – May 15, 2019
- Google Pixel 4 / XL – October 23, 2019
- Google Pixel 4a – August 20, 2020
- Google Pixel 4a (5G) – November 5, 2020
- Google Pixel 5 – October 15, 2020
- Google Pixel 5a – August 26, 2021
- Google Pixel 6 / Pro – October 28, 2021
- Google Pixel 6a – July 21, 2022
- Google Pixel 7 / Pro – October 13, 2022
- Google Pixel 7a – May 10, 2023
- Google Pixel Fold – June 20, 2023
- Google Pixel 8 / Pro – October 12, 2023
As the smartphone landscape continues to evolve, the fate of fingerprint scanners remains a subject of debate among tech enthusiasts. Will the classic rear-mounted sensor make a triumphant return, or is the era of under-display biometrics here to stay?