Side-mounted vs Under-display Fingerprint Sensors: Huawei Mate 70's Design Choice
An analysis of Huawei’s decision to use side-mounted fingerprint sensors across its Mate 70 series instead of the mainstream under-display technology, examining cost, user experience, and technical constraints.
The smartphone industry’s evolving biometric authentication landscape has sparked discussion about Huawei’s choice of side-mounted fingerprint sensors for its entire Mate 70 series. This departure from the prevalent under-display ultrasonic sensors has raised questions about technological capabilities and design philosophy.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Mate 70 series demonstrates thoughtful engineering. Unlike typical side sensors found on budget phones, Huawei’s implementation matches the power button’s height and texture, making it nearly indistinguishable from other physical buttons except for its matte finish. The sensor provides quick response times and convenient access for both right and left-handed users, with the ability to register multiple fingers for flexible usage.
However, the decision appears driven by several key factors. First, patent restrictions around ultrasonic under-display technology, particularly those held by Qualcomm, may have influenced this choice. Second, thermal management priorities for the chipset likely impacted component placement decisions.
The user experience perspective presents mixed reactions. While side-mounted sensors offer reliable performance and natural finger placement during phone grip, they create challenges for protective case design. Cases must accommodate the sensor with precise cutouts, which can affect aesthetics and durability. This becomes particularly noticeable on premium devices like the Mate 70 series, where design consistency matters.
The pricing strategy reveals interesting insights. The standard Mate 70 model, starting at 5499 yuan in China, only includes the side-mounted sensor without 3D face recognition. This stands in contrast to competitors offering under-display solutions at similar price points. The higher-end Pro models incorporate both the side sensor and 3D face recognition, suggesting a strategic feature differentiation.
Technical implementation varies across the series. The Pro variants combine the side-mounted sensor with sophisticated 3D face recognition, positioning the fingerprint sensor as a complementary rather than primary security feature. The standard model’s reliance solely on the side sensor has drawn criticism regarding feature parity with similarly priced competitors.
Industry observers note this might be a temporary solution while Huawei develops its proprietary under-display technology. Reports indicate the company is working on indigenous ultrasonic sensor solutions, though these developments remain unreleased.
The broader implications stretch beyond just authentication technology. This decision exemplifies the complex balance manufacturers must strike between innovation, cost management, and user experience in today’s competitive smartphone market. Whether this represents a long-term strategic shift or a temporary adaptation remains to be seen in future Huawei flagship devices.