When the Pixel 8 was first introduced, it was the most excited I’d been a few Google telephone in fairly a while. After a short defection to the darkish aspect (i.e., the iPhone 13), I was greater than prepared to come again into the Android fold. I was enticed by the extra compact dimension, extra comfy rounded corners, and better refresh fee display in contrast to the final couple of Pixels. I was additionally hopeful that Google had mounted my primary gripe from the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 — the inconsistent fingerprint scanner.
Prior to the large design refresh that got here with the Pixel 6, we had been blessed with wonderful rear-mounted fingerprint sensors on each Pixel and Nexus telephones (ignoring the Pixel 4’s short-lived face ID experiment). Together with the now iconic horizontal digicam bar, the Pixel 6 additionally launched the sequence’ first under-display fingerprint reader. Though Google was slower to bounce on this characteristic than different producers, it still failed to reside up to the hype. It’s unclear if this was due to inferior {hardware} or poor optimization on Google’s half (or a mix of each). Both method, what we obtained was a sluggish and unpredictable unlocking expertise that prompted no finish of frustration to customers, together with many in our ranks right here at Android Authority.
The state of affairs improved barely with the Pixel 7, but it was still removed from excellent. Some even went so far as to make use of icky workarounds to make it higher. This was all moderately perplexing — we knew that good optical fingerprint sensors existed as a result of we noticed them on different Android telephones. I keep in mind the scanner on the OnePlus 7 Professional being notably quick and dependable way back to 2019. In any case the dangerous press, certainly Google would prioritize the unlocking expertise on the Pixel 8 and equip it with a extra constant sensor. Or so I thought.
There’s little doubt that it’s narrowly higher than what we noticed on the Pixel 7. But after utilizing the Pixel 8 as my primary telephone since launch, I’ve just about given up on fingerprint unlocking altogether. Typically it really works high quality; different instances it received’t work in any respect. It’s really maddening.
(*8*)
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Apart from normal inconsistencies, I’ve additionally stopped utilizing the fingerprint scanner due to the way it works together with face unlock. I thought I’d settled on the excellent system: utilizing face unlock as my main biometric possibility and falling again on the fingerprint scanner solely when I have to. The Pixel 8’s face unlock characteristic doesn’t examine to Face ID on iPhones, since Google solely makes use of a front-facing digicam to decide your id as opposed to Apple’s quicker and extra correct infrared dot projection answer. Crucially, the Pixel model received’t work in low-light circumstances, which is strictly when the fingerprint scanner ought to come into its personal.
When there is not sufficient mild for face unlock, I place my finger on the scanner, and it simply will not work.
Sadly, this is the place a whole lot of my frustration stems from. All too typically, when there’s not sufficient mild for face unlock, I place my finger on the scanner, and it simply received’t work. It’s virtually as if the Pixel 8 will get confused when face unlock fails and the fingerprint reader simply isn’t prepared for enter. I’m additionally blinded by a vibrant flash whereas it tries to do its factor as a result of the optical sensor wants this mild to operate. (And if it’s going to mild me up, why not simply take a look at my face whereas it’s at it?) Two or three makes an attempt later, I have to resort to utilizing my sample to get in. Sadly, I’m not the only one to have encountered this.
If the fingerprint scanner on the Pixel 8 solely stumbled as soon as in a blue moon, I’d have the ability to reside with it. But it surely errs so typically that I’ve determined to simply change off fingerprint unlocking altogether. Defaulting to the sample when face unlock is unavailable seems like a giant step again, but it’s a rattling sight much less irritating than coping with the inconsistant fingerprint scanner.
How do you discover the fingerprint scanner on the Pixel 8?
15 votes
(*9*)
It is inconsistent, but I can reside with it
60%
(*9*)
It is so dangerous I turned it off
0%
(*9*)
It really works high quality for me
40%
(*9*)
I would not hassle with it in the first place
0%
And so I discover myself coveting the Pixel 9 and its upgraded ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, though my Pixel 8 is okay in each different respect. By all accounts, face unlock additionally works even higher on Google’s most up-to-date telephones, so I’m positive the unlocking expertise can be far much less infuriating if I upgraded.
For apparent environmental causes, I’d favor not to upgrade from my Pixel 8 except it’s an absolute necessity, so I’ll have to make do with out fingerprint unlocking for now. I know what you’re considering, and sure, I’m positive I’ll survive this large hardship. First-world issues, eh?
Having to name out one thing as elementary as unlocking a mere eight generations into Google’s in-house smartphone program is an actual disgrace, but right here we’re. The corporate hasn’t managed the transition from capacitive rear-mounted fingerprint scanners in any respect properly — oh, how I miss my Pixel 5. And it appears like we’d see but extra experimentation from Google as the Pixel 11 is rumored to characteristic an under-display infrared digicam for improved face unlock. I wouldn’t be stunned if this system doesn’t ship with a fingerprint reader in any respect. Pointless to say, I received’t be unhappy to see it go.
