Galaxy S10 In-Display Fingerprint Reader Confirmed In Official Samsung Pay App

by Paul Lilly — Monday, January 21, 2019, 11:38 AM EDT

It is very likely that Samsung engages in controlled leaks of upcoming products, a strategy that has worked well for Apple over the years. Some intentional leaks are more blatant than others. For example, the South Korean electronics maker has updated its Samsung Pay app with references to an in-display fingerprint sensor, which is a rumored feature of the Galaxy S10.

Well, it was a rumored feature, up until now. Samsung has essentially confirmed that the Galaxy S10 will in fact boast an in-display fingerprint sensor. The references in the updated Samsung Pay app are not a coincidence, and in one of the instances, it even specifically mentions the Galaxy S10. So yeah, it's going to have one.

XDA Developers spotted the references in a teardown of the Samsung Pay app. The latest version of the app includes at least two references to an in-display fingerprint sensor, one of which points to an altered layout for the Galaxy S10 (and any other upcoming handsets that might have one as well).

"Enlarge bottom layout for Beyond in-display FP scanner," the code reads.

Samsung tweaked the app to check for the presence of an in-display fingerprint reader, and if it detects one (as it will in the Galaxy S10), then the bottom section will be a little bit bigger to accommodate authorizing a payment with a fingerprint scan.

While this can be viewed as confirmation of the Galaxy S10 gaining an in-display fingerprint sensor, it's not clear if that will apply to each variant. Rumor has it there will be at least three models, including the 5.8-inch Galaxy S10 Lite or Galaxy S10 E, 6.1-inch Galaxy S10, and 6.4-inch Galaxy S10+. There has also been chatter of a 5G model, the Galaxy S10 5G or Galaxy S10 X.

Beyond the embedded fingerprint reader, the Galaxy S10 is expected to wield a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, up to 1TB of storage, and up to three rear cameras, depending on the model.

Samsung will announce its Galaxy 10 lineup during its Unpacked event on February 20, 2019.

Tags: Samsung, (krx:005930), samsung pay, galaxy s10

Paul Lilly

Paul is a seasoned geek who cut this teeth on the Commodore 64. When he's not geeking out to tech, he's out riding his Harley and collecting stray cats.