Galaxy Phones With Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensors

This guide helps you identify which Samsung Galaxy phones use an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display, rather than the older optical type. You’ll learn how to check your own device’s specifications, what the sensor looks like in practice, and how to confirm it without relying on memory or guesswork.

What You’ll Need

Your Galaxy phone (or the exact model number if you’re shopping)
Access to the internet or the phone’s Settings menu
The phone’s model number (found in Settings > About Phone)

Step-by-Step

Find your exact model number. Go to Settings > About Phone and note the model number (e.g., SM-S918B). This is essential because regional variants can differ.
Check the official Samsung spec page. Go to samsung.com, search for your model, and open the full specifications. Look for the “Security” or “Biometrics” section. If it says “Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor,” you have it. If it says “Optical fingerprint sensor” or just “Fingerprint sensor” without a type, it’s likely optical.
Use the Samsung Members app. Open the app, go to Support > Self-Diagnosis, and run the fingerprint test. The diagnostic tool will tell you if the sensor is working, but it won’t name the type. However, if your phone is from the S10 series or newer (except the S20 FE and some A-series), it’s almost certainly ultrasonic.
Look at the sensor’s behavior. Ultrasonic sensors work without a bright flash of light. If you place your finger on the screen in a dark room and see no glow, it’s ultrasonic. Optical sensors emit a visible light pulse.
Check the screen protector compatibility. Ultrasonic sensors work through most screen protectors, including glass ones, as long as they’re not too thick. Optical sensors often fail with thick glass protectors. If your phone works fine with a tempered glass protector, it’s likely ultrasonic.
Verify with a third-party hardware info app. Install an app like Device Info HW from the Play Store. Open it, go to the Sensor tab, and look for “Fingerprint” or “Biometric”. The sensor name often includes “ultrasonic” or the manufacturer (e.g., Qualcomm).
Cross-reference with known lists. If you’re shopping, check a reliable tech review site that lists the sensor type. A quick search for “Galaxy [model] fingerprint sensor type” usually gives a definitive answer.

Common Mistakes

Assuming all S-series are ultrasonic. The Galaxy S20 FE uses an optical sensor, and the S21 FE uses an optical one too. Always check the specific model.
Confusing the sensor type with the placement. Both optical and ultrasonic sensors are under the display on recent models. The difference is the technology, not the location.
Relying on the phone’s Settings description. Samsung often just says “Fingerprint sensor” without specifying the type. Don’t assume it’s ultrasonic just because it’s under the screen.
Using a generic online spec sheet. Some third-party sites copy specs from older models. Verify with Samsung’s official page or the device itself.

Tips

Check the model number’s suffix. The last letter indicates the region (B = international, U = USA, etc.). Regional variants of the same phone usually have the same sensor, but it’s worth double-checking.
If you have the phone, test it. The dark-room test is quick and reliable. Turn off the screen, press your finger, and watch for any glow.
For older models, remember the switch. Samsung used optical sensors on the S6, S7, and Note 7 (rear-mounted), then moved to ultrasonic starting with the S10 series (except the FE models). The S20, S21, S22, S23, and S24 flagships all use ultrasonic, but the FE versions often don’t.

Troubleshooting

If you can’t find the sensor type in Settings:

Open the Samsung Members app and run the diagnostic test. If it passes, the sensor is working; the type can be found online.
Search your exact model number on Google with the word “specifications” — the first result is usually Samsung’s official page.

If the dark-room test isn’t conclusive:

Some optical sensors are very dim. Try placing your finger and slowly lifting it — if you see a faint flash, it’s optical.
If you have a glass screen protector that works, that’s a strong sign of ultrasonic. If you have a film protector, it doesn’t help distinguish.

If the hardware info app doesn’t show the type:

Some apps list the sensor as “Fingerprint” without details. Try a different app like CPU-Z and check the “Sensors” tab.
If you still can’t tell, search the model number on a forum like XDA Developers — users often discuss the sensor type for each variant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Galaxy phones have ultrasonic fingerprint sensors?
A: Most flagship Galaxy S and Note models from the S10 series onward (except the S20 FE and S21 FE) use ultrasonic sensors. The Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series also use them. The A-series generally uses optical sensors.

Q: How can I tell if my Galaxy has an ultrasonic sensor without looking it up?
A: Place your finger on the sensor in a dark room. If you see no light flash, it’s ultrasonic. If you see a small glow, it’s optical.

Q: Does the Galaxy S23 FE have an ultrasonic sensor?
A: No, the S23 FE uses an optical fingerprint sensor. The regular S23 and S23+ use ultrasonic.

Q: Can I use any screen protector with an ultrasonic sensor?
A: Ultrasonic sensors work with most tempered glass protectors, but some thicker ones may interfere. Samsung recommends using protectors specifically designed for ultrasonic sensors.

Q: Why does my Galaxy’s fingerprint sensor sometimes fail?
A: Ultrasonic sensors can struggle with dry or very wet fingers, or if the screen protector is too thick. Re-register your fingerprints after applying a new protector.

Q: Is the ultrasonic sensor faster than optical?
A: Generally yes, ultrasonic sensors are faster and more secure because they read the 3D shape of your fingerprint, not just a 2D image.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →