Qualcomm is launching a brand new version of its 3D Sonic fingerprint scanner, and it’s introducing some serious upgrades. Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic System uses ultrasound for fingerprint authentication, and it’s used by a lot of flagship Android phones like the Galaxy S10 and Note 10+ devices.

Qualcomm is now introducing the 3D Sonic Max fingerprint sensor, the company’s latest fingerprint scanner that introduces significantly improved security features.

The new sensor is 17x bigger than before, measuring in at 20mm x 30mm, compared to the usual 4mm x 9mm sensors we have come to see, reports Engadget. The bigger size means the 3D Sonic Max can now scan two fingers at a time, which will offer improved security. The new dual-fingerprint authentication system will introduce a new layer of security that could practically be used by banking apps, for example.

The larger sensor also means setting up fingerprint authentication will be easier, as you won’t have to repeatedly tap your finger from different points to register a fingerprint on your phone. And as the larger size allows the sensor to read more data, it will also offer more accuracy, with Qualcomm aiming for a 1 in a million accuracy rate which is the same as Apple’s Face ID. Touch ID, on the other hand, has an accuracy of 1 in 50,000, and it’s the same for most other fingerprint sensors.

The new 3D Sonic Max will also offer improved speed, according to Qualcomm. The new sensor could start showing up on phones as early as next year.

Tagged with 3D Sonic, 3D Sonic Max, Qualcomm