The Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL were announced yesterday with a host of improvements over the 2023 generation, including a new, faster fingerprint reader built into the OLED display. While the Pixel 8 series' optical fingerprint reader was better than previous models, it still wasn't as good as other brands.
For the 2024 generation, the optical reader is gone, replaced by a Qualcomm 3D Sonic Gen 2 (an ultrasonic reader). Google claims it's 50% faster than the reader in the Pixel 8 phones, Qualcomm claims it's the “world's fastest in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.”
The reader should work reliably, even if your fingers are wet, and it has anti-spoofing technology that allows it to reject fraudulent photographs and fake casts of your finger. The sensor measures 8×8 mm (0.3×0.3 inches).
Qualcomm has partnered with @Google to create another reason to love the Google Pixel 9: the Qualcomm 3D Sonic Gen 2 fingerprint sensor. https://t.co/klFCFRTUab
— Qualcomm (@Qualcomm) August 13, 2024
Yesterday's fourth new phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, has a side-mounted fingerprint reader, so it uses a traditional capacitive sensor.
The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL will be released next week, with the Pixel 9 Pro coming in early September. Here are the pricing details for the new series.