Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 could get this big upgrade over Galaxy Z Fold 3

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 could get this big upgrade over Galax Z Fold 3

An illustration of Samsung's patent for a dual-sided fingerprint sensor, showing active zones on the front and inside displays of a Galaxy Z Fold-style foldable.

(Effigy credit: LetsGoDigital)

Update: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 could fix Fold 3's biggest flaw : the low-display camera.

If we're lucky the Samsung Galaxy Z Plication 4 could have a big upgrade, in the form of an under-show fingerprint scanner,

That's going by a new patent spotted by LetsGoDigital, which also John Drew up the illustrations you can see here. Samsung's patent envisions a dual-sided fingerprint sensor to live used on some the external and inner displays of a Galaxy Z Fold-style foldable.

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Much a sensor would grade a departure from the side-mounted fingerprint scanner found on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. While the Galaxy Z Close 3's scanner is rather responsive, it can be awkward to gain at times when using the folding phone in its tablet mode.

This patent, filed aft in March but publicised instantly, details a electronic scanner recreation a plan that essentially folds with the next-Gen Fold's folding reveal. It features cardinal sensors sandwiching a circuit board, which baby-sit together 'tween the foldable's front cover showing and the left sidelong of the larger interior display. This double-sided design would in theory let you unlock the speech sound with a fingermark whether it's subject or closed with the same sensor.

LetsGoDigital noted that this isn't the first time Samsung's filed a patent equal this. IT besides filed one in April of last year, proving this is no idle fantasy on the company's part. It also gives us more hope that Samsung could habituate this folding image scanner tech in the Wandflower Z Fold 4 could use this applied science, rather than hold it for foldables some several long time in the future.

However patents don't ever destruction risen as real features on products, and those that do can take a lot longer to develop than just a year Beaver State two. So take this patent with a suitable serving of skepticism.

It's likely going to be some prison term before the Galaxy Z Close 4 appears, given the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has just been out for a calendar month and a bit. Withal, the limited leaks we've had for the succeeding-gen foldable already make for interesting reading. Next year we'll hopefully get a Thomas More affordable Galaxy Z Fold with an improved low-level-display tv camera; cardinal very welcome changes since these are the current flagship foldable's 2 weakest points.

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Richard is a Tom's Guide faculty writer based in Capital of the United Kingdom, covering word, reviews you bet-tos for phones, gaming, audio and some else people need advice along. He's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, helium's in all likelihood thinking about how to brewage the perfect cup of specialty coffee.