Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
Samsung Galaxy S10 in-display fingerprint sensor will survive scratches, but not cracks
August 05, 2025
Both the newSamsung Galaxy S10and theGalaxy S10 Plushave in-display fingerprint sensors that useultrasonic technology. In other words, it uses high-frequency sound waves to read your unique fingerprint pattern. But will this new and cool tech work if the phone’s screen gets scratched or cracked?
That’s the question posed by the folks at theJerryRigEverything. In the channel’s latest video, Zack Nelson tests the durability of a standardSamsung Galaxy S10. The video demonstrates that Samsung’s handset can handle a bend test without sustaining damage. Additionally, the display showed no apparent harm after a flame was held to it for roughly 30 seconds.
We don’t recommend you abuse your phone in this way at all.
But what about if the display gets a lot of scratches, or even breaks, around the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor? In the video, we see the screen first get hit with more scratches than is normally possible with regular wear and tear. The good news is that even with lots of scratches, the fingerprint sensor still works 100 percent.
However, that changed when Nelson put deeper grooves into the Galaxy S10’s display to simulate a cracked glass screen. After that damage was inflicted, the in-screen fingerprint sensor failed to work. The bottom line? Don’t drop the phone and crack your Galaxy S10’s display in the lower half or you might need some other way to unlock your phone. That may be part of the reason why Samsung chose toinstall its own screen protectoron the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus.
The Galaxy s10 series is scheduled to start shipping March 8, and you’re able to pre-order them directly from Samsung. What do you think of the phone’s use of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor as opposed to anoptical-based scanner?
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
