Android 12 Developer Preview 2 was released yesterday in Spain, introducing a series of novelties that we hope to see at the end of the year in this new version of the operating system. This new version has also allowed us to know more about Google’s plans for its Pixels in the near future, with a model that would bring an important change.
In Android 12 DP 2 it has been possible to see some evidence that suggests that Google would be working on a Pixel that it would have a fingerprint sensor under the screen, rather than on its rear, as is the case with the current range of the firm’s phones.
Android 12 Developer Preview 2 is official: changes and newsWe tell you what are the changes and news of Android 12 Developer Preview 2, the second version for Android 12 developers.
A Pixel with a fingerprint sensor under the screen
In the code of Android 12 DP 2 it has been possible to seea line called “UdfpsControllerGoogle”, where “Udfps” refers to under display fingerprint scanner, that is, fingerprint sensor under the screen. This could be an indication that the firm would finally be working on incorporating the fingerprint sensor under the screen of one of its upcoming Pixel phones.
The fact that Google introduces code like this in a previous version of Android is usually an indicator that it is working on incorporating the fingerprint sensor under the screen of a Pixel in the future. Also, the timing would be right, considering that the sensor quality under the screen has improved notably these years. They are more accurate and secure, as well as allowing a cleaner design for the device. The question will be whether Google would bet on an optical or an ultrasonic one
It is not the only novelty that has been seen, because it seems that Google is working on introducing a new gesture of swipe for notifications on Android 12. This gesture would be a substitute for the gesture “swipe fingerprint for notifications”, present in the Google Pixel. In these phones, your gestures with the rear fingerprint reader allow you to open and close the notification panel. This new gesture would have the same purpose, so it seems that they are experimenting for a mobile future without a rear fingerprint reader.
We will have to wait a while to see if Google will finally launch a smartphone with a fingerprint sensor under the screen, but it seems clear that the first tests are already underway.
The Android 12 entry reveals multiple evidences that a Pixel with an on-screen fingerprint reader appears first in The Free Android.