Samsung has unveiled its latest OLED displays featuring integrated fingerprint and health sensors, a development that could potentially lead to the resurgence of Touch ID in upcoming iPhone models.
The OLED touchscreen displays come equipped to measure heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels through a simple touch of the screen with two fingers. In a departure from the conventional approach of placing separate fingerprint sensors beneath the panel, Samsung Display has successfully integrated a light-sensitive organic photodiode (OPD) directly into the panel structure.
By analyzing the changes in OLED light reflection caused by the expansion and contraction of blood vessels in the finger, the built-in OPD detects these variations and translates them into valuable health data.
“To accurately measure an individual’s blood pressure, it is essential to assess it in both arms,” explained the company. “The Sensor OLED display can simultaneously recognize fingers from both hands, offering more precise health information than existing wearable devices.”
Samsung Display claims to be the first company to introduce panel technology capable of simultaneously recognizing fingerprints and biometric data.
Longstanding rumors exist that Apple is developing in-display fingerprint reading technology and may incorporate a Touch ID sensor beneath the screen in future iPhone models. Samsung’s recent display innovation could provide a solution for such an in-screen sensor.
However, other reports suggest that Apple is also working on integrating Face ID sensors into the iPhone’s display, although this may not materialize until 2025 or later. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether Touch ID will make a comeback on iPhones.
In addition to the OLED displays with integrated sensors, Samsung is showcasing another cutting-edge display called the Rollable Flex. Unlike traditional folding or sliding designs, which offer limited scalability, the Rollable Flex surpasses these constraints by allowing the display to be seamlessly rolled and unfolded along an axis resembling the letter “O,” similar to a scroll.
Samsung is unveiling these groundbreaking OLED technologies at the SID Display Week held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California from May 23 to 25. The event serves as a platform for showcasing the latest advancements in display technology.