Samsung will add a facial recognition capability to its upcoming Galaxy S8 because of doubts about the speed and reliability of iris scanning alone, according to a report yesterday in the Korea Economic Daily.

The news comes amid rumors last month that Apple's "iPhone 8" will feature a "revolutionary" front-facing camera system with the potential to combine the advantages of both facial and iris recognition.

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Samsung Galaxy S8 concept by Benjamin Geskin

Due to some limits of iris scanning such as speed and accuracy, we have decided to add facial recognition to the Galaxy S8," a Samsung official was quoted as saying. "With a face scanner, it will take less than 0.01 seconds to unlock the phone."

Citing a second Samsung official, the report said the mobile business division had completed the software side of the technology and is currently testing the facial recognition in prototypes. The S8, which is expected to be the biggest to rival to the upcoming OLED iPhone, will launch on March 29.

Apple's ability to combine the technologies in a single camera system may be achievable thanks to built-in transmitting and receiving infrared modules, backed by software algorithms made by PrimseSense, which Apple acquired in 2013.

Apple is expected to include the camera system in a radically redesigned, minimal-bezel handset with an OLED display that includes built-in fingerprint recognition. The so-called "Tenth Anniversary Edition" model is expected to launch in the fall alongside two, more typical "S" cycle edition phones that will supersede the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

(Via The Investor.)

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

keysofanxiety Avatar
101 months ago
Is it really necessary for phones to be unlocked in 0.01 seconds?
Necessary? Of course not. But by that definition neither is fingerprint recognition, or a touchscreen, or apps, or anything we now associate with a handheld device.

If it works fluently, I have no doubt we'll look back in 5 years and wonder how we ever did without.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Carlanga Avatar
101 months ago
Is it really necessary for phones to be unlocked in 0.01 seconds?
Yes. Even better if it was 0.001
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmh600cbr Avatar
101 months ago
iPhone rumour. Galaxy feature. The cycle continues.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
8012R3 Avatar
101 months ago
So when a thief bonks you over the head with a lead pipe, they can grab your phone and conveniently unlock it in 0.01 seconds. Watch your backs, future S8 owners.
Whts stopping a thief from "bonking" you over the head now and using your finger print to unlock your phone?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smacrumon Avatar
101 months ago
This will be one of the best phones of the decade.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
101 months ago
So when a thief bonks you over the head with a lead pipe, they can grab your phone and conveniently unlock it in 0.01 seconds. Watch your backs, future S8 owners.
Hypothetical scenarios like this always make me giggle.:)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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