Galaxy Note 3 Variant to Launch with Fingerprint Sensor

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, October 10, 2013

Samsung will release a Galaxy Note 3 variant that comes equipped with a fingerprint sensor.

The company is currently developing fingerprint recognition technology that will first be used on a new model of the phablet, according to a new report from ETNews. The publication cited industry sources for the information.

"If things go as planned, Samsung Electronics will finish development of the fingerprint recognition system by the end of the year," said an insider cited by ETNews. The company is developing the technology independently, but specialists from CrucialTec and Parton may become involved in the process.

Samsung is seeking out a way to differentiate itself from Apple who integrated the sensor into the home button on the iPhone 5S. Other OEMs such as Pantech and HTC have put fingerprint sensors on the backs of their devices leaving Samsung without that many other options. The company is considering placing the sensor on the side of the device, according to the report.

Rumors of a Galaxy Note 3 Active with a flexible display hit the internet last week, but now it seems that Samsung will take a different route for implementing that feature into its future handsets.

Instead of releasing a Galaxy Note model with the a bendable screen, the company will create a distinct series of devices that are similar to the Galaxy Note and S lines, according to a report from Korean outlet Money Today.

This new set of curved screen phones will be similar to the YOUM prototypes that the company debuted back at CES during January. The first of these devices will not feature an S Pen and will not be a rugged variant of the Note 3, ruling out the Active model being the first to have a bendable frame.

Samsung executives recently confirmed that the first handset with a plastic display will launch sometime this month.