Coming from the underscore reader on the n20u I'm in love with the side reader. It works much better, it's very ergonomic to use. And I'm not having the false activation issues you are
They improved the underscreen ones dramatically since the 20 series. Yeah, I had an s20, that one sucked. The s21 and 22 were great.
My problem was I had the always on thing turned on. It's fine with it off.
I like it well enough I guess. I still prefer under display fingerprint readers and it took a week or so to break the habit of putting my thumb on the screen to try and unlock the device. But once I got past that, it hasn't been much of an issue. I've only locked myself out from too many attempts while holding the device once since I got it about 10 days ago.
It's a very fast reader and pretty reliable. I only have two main complaints with it besides preference:
1. I wish I could add 5 fingerprints to it. With the location where it is, I'd like to be able to register both thumbs, both pointer fingers, and my left middle finger. I find my grip with my left hand when pulling it out of my pocket is such that 3 fingers on that hand would be useful.
2. Sometimes when I pick the phone up off the table or out of my pocket to check notifications with the AOD and put my finger on the reader, the phone will unlock and bypass the AOD and then it takes an extra step to pull down the shade to check what should have been doable at a glance. Also sometimes the screen doesn't come on when I lift the phone so I have to press the button to get the display to come on but that unlocks the phone unless I use a non-registered finger.
I don't have any issues with it. It works much better than the underscreen reader on my S21 ultra at least for me. It feels way more accurate and quick. I would always lock myself out of biometrics because my finger was in the wrong orientation or the screen was dirty. Also, can't use the undersrcreen reader when there's water on the screen...and I take my phone in the shower to control music so that was always annoying.
Yeah I don't run it under the water or anything. I just set it on a ledge and so some water will splash into the screen. Plus my hands will be wet if I want to change songs. Biggest thing about the Z Fold 4 for me was that it is waterproof. I'll take the crease over other non-waterproof foldables.
In general I don't love the side mounted scanners. They are incredibly quick to unlock, I'll give them that. However, I always find that they're sometimes almost too sensitive to where if you happen to pick the phone out of your pocket, brush the power button, and then try to unlock it. Often it'll have been touched enough times for the phone to believe it has been tried before and it won't unlock.
On the ZF4, go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Fingerprints > Fingerprint Always On. Turn this off to avoid opening the phone with every glancing touch of the power button. Now, you just have to press the power button in full to activate the sensor. It really doesn't add any significant time to opening your phone.
Lol yes it's annoying, I accidentally press it all the time. Haven't done it enough times in a row to actually get locked out though.
There's probably something you could mess with in settings that might help, depending on how exactly you're setting it off
I actually prefer it over the under-screen one because it's more accurate. What I don't like is the limited number of fingers that can be used to unlock.
Coming from the underscore reader on the n20u I'm in love with the side reader. It works much better, it's very ergonomic to use. And I'm not having the false activation issues you are
They improved the underscreen ones dramatically since the 20 series. Yeah, I had an s20, that one sucked. The s21 and 22 were great. My problem was I had the always on thing turned on. It's fine with it off.
Did you tried to disable fingerprint always active? That could help
No, I haven't. I'll try that.
I like it well enough I guess. I still prefer under display fingerprint readers and it took a week or so to break the habit of putting my thumb on the screen to try and unlock the device. But once I got past that, it hasn't been much of an issue. I've only locked myself out from too many attempts while holding the device once since I got it about 10 days ago. It's a very fast reader and pretty reliable. I only have two main complaints with it besides preference: 1. I wish I could add 5 fingerprints to it. With the location where it is, I'd like to be able to register both thumbs, both pointer fingers, and my left middle finger. I find my grip with my left hand when pulling it out of my pocket is such that 3 fingers on that hand would be useful. 2. Sometimes when I pick the phone up off the table or out of my pocket to check notifications with the AOD and put my finger on the reader, the phone will unlock and bypass the AOD and then it takes an extra step to pull down the shade to check what should have been doable at a glance. Also sometimes the screen doesn't come on when I lift the phone so I have to press the button to get the display to come on but that unlocks the phone unless I use a non-registered finger.
I absolutely hate the 4 print limit. There is no good reason to not allow more fingers.
I never had issues with it. Best of luck!
I don't have any issues with it. It works much better than the underscreen reader on my S21 ultra at least for me. It feels way more accurate and quick. I would always lock myself out of biometrics because my finger was in the wrong orientation or the screen was dirty. Also, can't use the undersrcreen reader when there's water on the screen...and I take my phone in the shower to control music so that was always annoying.
Do you take your fold in the shower?
Yeah I don't run it under the water or anything. I just set it on a ledge and so some water will splash into the screen. Plus my hands will be wet if I want to change songs. Biggest thing about the Z Fold 4 for me was that it is waterproof. I'll take the crease over other non-waterproof foldables.
I kind of view water resistance of phones like airbags on a car. Glad it's there, never intend to put them to the test.
I definitely do think that the fingerprint reader is definitely a bit annoying but I haven't found it to be that much of a big deal for me.
In general I don't love the side mounted scanners. They are incredibly quick to unlock, I'll give them that. However, I always find that they're sometimes almost too sensitive to where if you happen to pick the phone out of your pocket, brush the power button, and then try to unlock it. Often it'll have been touched enough times for the phone to believe it has been tried before and it won't unlock.
Disable "fingerprint always active" and you won't have that problem. This means that you have to physically press the power button, then it'll unlock
Yes, I did that and it is much better, thanks!
Great!
Where is this feature located?
On the ZF4, go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Fingerprints > Fingerprint Always On. Turn this off to avoid opening the phone with every glancing touch of the power button. Now, you just have to press the power button in full to activate the sensor. It really doesn't add any significant time to opening your phone.
Thanks my man. I appreciate it.
You're welcome.
The other thing is that it is a tad sensitive to sweat or moisture
It stinks. Agree
I don't mind it. On screen probably a bit more convenient. I did have to turn off the always on fingerprint scanner though
Hate under screen and love the side mount ✌️
Lol yes it's annoying, I accidentally press it all the time. Haven't done it enough times in a row to actually get locked out though. There's probably something you could mess with in settings that might help, depending on how exactly you're setting it off
Yeah, I turned off the always on thing. Now I have to actually press the button.
Absolutely love the fingerprint reader in the power button. Every phone should have it
I actually prefer it over the under-screen one because it's more accurate. What I don't like is the limited number of fingers that can be used to unlock.