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Samsung’s Galaxy S5 fingerprint scanner production may be in trouble [updated]

By Williams Pelegrin March 3, 2014

Samsung Galaxy S5 front bottom macro — Image used with permission by copyright holder

UPDATE: Looks like the alleged negotiations between Samsung and CrucialTec didn’t happen! In a statement to Phone Arena, Samsung confirmed that “CrucialTec does not supply fingerprint scanner to Samsung Electronics.” Quick and to the point.

ORIGINAL STORY: One consistent rumor of the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 3 was the use of a biometric fingerprint scanner. While the sensor didn’t make it to the newest Note, reportedly due to production woes, it was announced for the S5 at Samsung’s recent Unpacked 5 event. Unfortunately, if a report out of Korea is accurate, production of the Galaxy S5’s fingerprint scanner isn’t going well either.

According to the report, Samsung is experiencing low yields with its proprietary fingerprint scanner. In other words, the Korean company doesn’t seem to be making enough in time for the Galaxy S5’s launch in April. Combined with other technical issues, these problems reportedly pushed Samsung to enter negotiations with Crucialtec, the largest manufacturer of optical trackpads and a producer of fingerprint scanners, which Samsung may use to help increase its supply of sensors.

Whether this means that inventory will be low when the Galaxy S5 goes on sale is unknown, but you’ll be forgiven if you’re a bit concerned. This reported last-minute change could lead to delays of the much-anticipated handset, though it seems that Samsung is trying to prevent that from happening.

While we weren’t able to test out the Galaxy S5‘s fingerprint sensor, which is located on the Home button, Samsung will allow it to make payments over its system or PayPal as a way of authorization. Based on other hands-on previews, however, the fingerprint sensor seems to be quite finicky, so hopefully Samsung can iron out any issues before the flagship’s launch.

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Williams Pelegrin

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Williams is an avid New York Yankees fan, speaks Spanish, resides in Colorado, and has an affinity for Frosted Flakes. Send…

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