Introduction to OnePlus 13 Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner
The OnePlus 13 has made a significant upgrade over its predecessor by replacing the traditional optical fingerprint scanner with an advanced ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. This upgrade is part of OnePlus's efforts to enhance security, speed, and usability of biometric authentication on their flagship device, addressing some limitations of previous models.
Technology Behind Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner
Unlike optical fingerprint sensors that rely on light to capture a two-dimensional image of the fingerprint, the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner in the OnePlus 13 uses ultrasonic sound waves to create a detailed 3D map of the fingerprint. The sensor emits high-frequency sound pulses that bounce back from the ridges and valleys of a finger, enabling the scanner to capture depth and detail more accurately. This 3D mapping makes it inherently more secure and difficult to spoof compared to optical sensors.
Performance Improvements: Speed and Security
The ultrasonic sensor is reported to be faster, offering quicker unlocking times compared to the optical sensors found on previous OnePlus models. Some user experiences note unlocking speeds around 0.1 seconds, indicating a high responsiveness level. The sensor's advanced architecture and wafer-level acoustic layer processing contribute to this speed enhancement. Furthermore, the sensor is touted to be more secure due to its capacity to capture depth data, which helps prevent spoofing attempts using photos or silicone replicas of fingerprints.
Improved Usability in Wet or Dirty Conditions
One of the key practical improvements of the ultrasonic scanner is its ability to function reliably with wet, greasy, or dirty fingers. Optical scanners generally require a clean, dry finger for accurate reading and may struggle or fail in less ideal conditions. The OnePlus 13's ultrasonic sensor addresses this by detecting the fingerprint using ultrasonic pulses, which are less affected by moisture or dirt. This enhancement leads to consistent recognition and unlocking regardless of finger conditions, enhancing user convenience.
Integration with New Display Technology
The OnePlus 13 features a new 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display from BOE, which integrates the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner beneath the screen. This integration allows for a larger sensor area and improved scanning accuracy. The display also incorporates related advancements such as Rain Touch 2.0 technology for better touch performance in wet environments, complementing the ultrasonic sensor's capability to work with wet fingers.
Haptic Feedback Enhancement
Alongside the fingerprint scanner upgrade, OnePlus has improved the tactile feedback of the phone with its new "Bionic Vibration Motor Turbo." This motor is the largest found in any Android phone, providing very precise and refined haptic feedback through over 700 steps of adjustment. This improvement enhances the overall user interaction during fingerprint scanning by providing satisfying vibration responses on successful scans or failed attempts, making biometric unlocking feel more intuitive and responsive.
Challenges and User Experiences
Despite these advances, some users have reported occasional issues with fingerprint recognition on the OnePlus 13 ultrasonic scanner. Some accounts mention lower success rates in recognizing fingerprints, especially after software updates. The sensor's performance can be influenced by factors such as screen protectors, which may interfere with ultrasonic scans, and the need to add fingerprints from multiple angles to ensure accuracy. Nevertheless, many users report positive experiences emphasizing the speed and reliability improvements over previous generations.
Comparison to Optical Scanners in Past OnePlus Models
Previous OnePlus devices like the OnePlus 12 used optical fingerprint sensors, which required adequate light to capture a fingerprint image and often struggled with recognition when fingers were wet or greasy. The shift to ultrasonic scanning in the OnePlus 13 resolves many of these shortcomings by operating independently of ambient light and enhancing wet finger usability. While optical scanners are generally less expensive, ultrasonic sensors are more costly to implement but provide superior accuracy and security, aligning with OnePlus's positioning of the OnePlus 13 as a premium flagship device.
Industry Context and Supply Chain
The ultrasonic fingerprint scanner in the OnePlus 13 is supplied by Goodix, a prominent manufacturer known for supplying advanced sensors to major brands including Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, vivo, and Oppo. Goodix's technology emphasizes making ultrasonic sensors more affordable and easier for smartphone makers to integrate, helping these sensors become more common in flagship smartphones beyond just the highest-end premium models. The use of Goodix ultrasonic sensors positions OnePlus competitively alongside other flagship devices such as the Xiaomi 15 series and iQOO 13.
Water and Dust Resistance Enhancement
The integration of the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is part of a broader hardware upgrade in the OnePlus 13 that includes an improved IP69 water and dust resistance rating. This rating surpasses the IP68 rating common in many premium devices, providing better protection against harsh environmental conditions. This enhancement supports overall device durability and means the sensor must be robust enough to function under these conditions, including exposure to water and dust that could have impaired earlier sensor models.