Samsung is likely to stick with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for the Galaxy Z Fold4

Patent filings mean nothing

After seeing last year’s foldables and this year’s non-folding flagships, expectations are understandably high for Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4. Rumors have already suggested that in addition to obvious upgrades like a new processor, we could also see some massive improvements in the camera department, and maybe, just maybe, a fancy new S Pen. But not every corner of these phones is being reinvented, and for those of you considering picking up the Fold4, it’s increasingly looking like an in-display fingerprint sensor won’t be on the menu.

According to a new report from BusinessKorea (Going through Sam-Mobile), the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 (or the Z-less Galaxy Fold4 if recent global developments are any indication) won’t feature an in-screen sensor, opting instead for the same type of side sensor we’ve seen on Samsung. existing Fold phones. Some weak and earlier rumors were about the idea of ​​an in-display sensor like the one Samsung is using on the S22, following the discovery of a patent filed by Samsung with the World Property Organization. intellectual – just in case you need more confirmation as patent filings rarely lead to good information about upcoming products (especially in the short term).

Supposedly, it’s not because of a folding-related technological obstacle, but that the side sensor is considered a more natural placement than an integrated sensor. While the latter makes sense on a standard form factor smartphone like the Galaxy S22 series, in a foldable the side is a more logical option as the main display is hidden away, and relying on an in-display sensor can represent an additional step.

Of course, it’s still early days for this year’s new foldables, and we’re probably still a few months away from getting anything concrete – Samsung may have more surprises waiting for us in the weeks to come.

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