Why did Samsung make the fingerprint sensor on the S-5 so crappy compared to the 5s?

[tbayrgs]

Same here….it often takes multiple times to unlock my IP5s. It got so bad i don't even use it anymore.

I was noticing mine was failing more often than in the past, didn't know anything about the so-called 'fade' issue where performance would degrade over time. I deleted my existing fingerprint scan profiles, set up new ones and performance is once again like it was when I first started using the phone--I guess I get a read fail once every 15 or 20 attempts and usually because my finger/thumb is in a terrible position.

Supposedly, a fix for this 'fade' issue is included with ver. 7.1.

 

[vomhorizon]

What I like about the S5 software implementation is that you can use your print to secure any videos, photos, recordings, music or files.

Being able to use it to authenticate PayPal purchases is also quite useful. Now if only they'd let the Amazon app use it too...

I think the biggest advantage would have been linking the sensor to payments in the play store, as one would imagine that phone users would download apps more often than they would purchase something using paypal. The profiles and locking access to certain parts features look promising and a well thought out but i felt that samsung was limited in their implementation due to android and its lack of control over it.

 

[blackhand1001]

I hope Motorola overtakes Samsung in the next few years. Samsung has been tarnishing the name of android with their bloated ugly skins.

 

[vomhorizon]

I hope Motorola overtakes Samsung in the next few years. Samsung has been tarnishing the name of android with their bloated ugly skins.

I seriously doubt this. Samsung has a great ability to produce a wide range of mobile handsets for different demographics and tastes. I think Lenovo,HTC and others will keep on chipping away at samsung's market share in the low-mid price range with offerings that include similar features but at a much lower price. I see samsung still being the dominant player in the premium android market ($500+) for some time.

 

[magicMac]

Actually despite the negativity towards samsung in this thread I would say hardware is samsung's strongest point (more so on the electronics side than exterior - mind you my samsung SSD and seagate/samsung HDD both have a nice brushed aluminium effect). I would usually pick up on samsung with regards to the software. However don't forget apple own AuthenTec so they do have an advantage on this occasion.

 

[vomhorizon]

Actually despite the negativity towards samsung in this thread I would say hardware is samsung's strongest point (more so on the electronics side than exterior - mind you my samsung SSD and seagate/samsung HDD both have a nice brushed aluminium effect). I would usually pick up on samsung with regards to the software. However don't forget apple own AuthenTec so they do have an advantage on this occasion.

I think the main issue with samsung is their lack of control over their OS. For a company that is the largest smartphone maker in the world and wants to be the largest tablet maker in the world, slaving oneself to another company for an OS is bothersome. Modern smartphones are essentially gateways to the software and most users will identify more with android then say TW or even hardware features as samsung's home produced RAM or Hard disk. I have really not seen many signs from samsung's own Software development efforts that suggest they can do anything at par with apple,google or MS in this department so they would probably have to just negotiate contracts with google over the years to secure their mobile investments. They have managed to tone down google's ambitions to produce mass market devices (if reports about samsung's role in google moto mobility sale are to be believed) but given google's current plan to compete in all three hot mobile segments (phones, tablets and wearables) I can forsee conflict 3-5 years down the line.

 

[Fernandez21]

Actually despite the negativity towards samsung in this thread I would say hardware is samsung's strongest point (more so on the electronics side than exterior - mind you my samsung SSD and seagate/samsung HDD both have a nice brushed aluminium effect). I would usually pick up on samsung with regards to the software. However don't forget apple own AuthenTec so they do have an advantage on this occasion.

Spot on, I too would say the actual electronics inside the phone are Samsung's strong points. They make great electronics, displays, and batteries, some of the best. They really suck though at software and design. One would have hoped that they would have addressed these shortcomings by now, but with the success they've had you can't blame them for not fixing it when its not hurting their sales.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

This is Samsung we are talking about. All features are half assed. No surprise here. It will be improved and/or abandoned by next iteration. It's how they work. They know their customers don't demand any better.

 

[jamezr]

This is Samsung we are talking about. All features are half assed. No surprise here. It will be improved and/or abandoned by next iteration. It's how they work. They know their customers don't demand any better.

Really? Do you have any Samsung products? Didn't you get the Note 3 and brag about how much you loved it?
In the Galaxy Note 3 thread you said in post#1927

I have found myself grabbing my iPad less and less since using the Note 3 as my primary device. Its big enough for comfortable web surfing, perfect size for eBook reading and the stylus (and Papyrus) are a good combo for note taking. Even for watching video in bed...its more than enough.

I do miss the richer app library of the iPad, however. But my iPad is now primarily just there for some good digital board games.

Ddin't the Galaxy S3 get Kitkat already?

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/03/05/samsung-galaxy-s3-galaxy-note-2-android-4-4-details-u-s/

 

[Lloydbm41]

This is Samsung we are talking about. All features are half assed. No surprise here. It will be improved and/or abandoned by next iteration. It's how they work. They know their customers don't demand any better.

You could say the exact same thing about Apple. Samsung just half-asses stuff more than Apple is all.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

Really? Do you have any Samsung products? Didn't you get the Note 3 and brag about how much you loved it?
In the Galaxy Note 3 thread you said in post#1927


Ddin't the Galaxy S3 get Kitkat already?

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/03/05/samsung-galaxy-s3-galaxy-note-2-android-4-4-details-u-s/

Wow, I'm flattered to have you as a stalker?

You should quote a few more of my posts in the huge Galaxy Note 3 thread. Camera sucks, cheap plastic housing, plastic chrome, craploads of features that just barely work and then summarily abandoned, etc. But I bought it for the screen size and being able to compromise between phone and tablet. Those were the 3rd iteration of Note features for Sammy and they've matured. Almost everything else....half assed, as stated.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

This is Samsung we are talking about. All features are half assed. No surprise here. It will be improved and/or abandoned by next iteration. It's how they work. They know their customers don't demand any better.

The features in Samsung's S3 and S4 have been working great for me. Smart Stay and Multi Window have been working flawless for me. And the camera UI on S4 is the best I've seen on any smartphone to date. I don't have any problems with TW, works without a hiccup 99% of the time. I think your highly exaggerating saying that "All features are half assed".

My only gripe with Samsung is they have made some crappy apps. Like the Samsung hub and ChatOn. But they have shown to be improving greatly in the app department.

My other gripe with Samsung is the direction they might be going, based on the S5. The Galaxy should remain for those who don't give a damn about their device looking pretty or the materials use. As long as it's built solid, I don't care about all the fancy design trimmings.

 

[Markyboy81]

Like a lot of people have said, we need to wait and see how this finger print scanner will work in real life.
And for those of us who have the galaxy gear, we probably won't use it anyway as the 'auto lock' feature is a much better solution, in my opinion.

 

[deluxeshredder]

Because Samsung needed some extra marketing ground to challenge Apple.

I hope Motorola overtakes Samsung in the next few years. Samsung has been tarnishing the name of android with their bloated ugly skins.

Also with their bland hardware design and regional lock fiasco.

I really, really, really want an HTC, Motorola or Sony Android-based flagship with Note-like pen functionality.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

I really, really, really want an HTC, Motorola or Sony Android-based flagship with Note-like pen functionality.

Sony is far, far worse than Samsung when it comes to half-assery in feature bloat. Remember the vaio laptops? Every generation had a different "innovative" pointing device for several years, all of them crap.

Motorola builds quality gear, and HTC seems to be very adept at listening to their user base and working only on those features that people really want (sound for example). Would love to see one of those two (or both) dominate the Android scene versus Samsung.

 

[jamezr]

Wow, I'm flattered to have you as a stalker?

You should quote a few more of my posts in the huge Galaxy Note 3 thread. Camera sucks, cheap plastic housing, plastic chrome, craploads of features that just barely work and then summarily abandoned, etc. But I bought it for the screen size and being able to compromise between phone and tablet. Those were the 3rd iteration of Note features for Sammy and they've matured. Almost everything else....half assed, as stated.

LOL…don't get too carried away with that….I am keeping it real and giving context. You love your note one minute then hate it the next depending on which way the wind blows……If you hate Samsung so much why not go for another phablet? There are tons on the market…...

----------

Sony is far, far worse than Samsung when it comes to half-assery in feature bloat. Remember the vaio laptops? Every generation had a different "innovative" pointing device for several years, all of them crap.

Motorola builds quality gear, and HTC seems to be very adept at listening to their user base and working only on those features that people really want (sound for example). Would love to see one of those two (or both) dominate the Android scene versus Samsung.

People want sound over camera? Form over function? Samsung out sells them both combined because they give people what they want…..quality sells. If people wanted what HTC had to offer they would buy it…….. Motorola is offering some great product with sone great gimmicks that work but then not all that well. If HTC and Motorola had better products…..they would dominate the Android scene…...

 

[jamezr]

The features in Samsung's S3 and S4 have been working great for me. Smart Stay and Multi Window have been working flawless for me. And the camera UI on S4 is the best I've seen on any smartphone to date. I don't have any problems with TW, works without a hiccup 99% of the time. I think your highly exaggerating saying that "All features are half assed".

My only gripe with Samsung is they have made some crappy apps. Like the Samsung hub and ChatOn. But they have shown to be improving greatly in the app department.

My other gripe with Samsung is the direction they might be going, based on the S5. The Galaxy should remain for those who don't give a damn about their device looking pretty or the materials use. As long as it's built solid, I don't care about all the fancy design trimmings.

Nice!…… agree with you……i don't need all the fancy stuff. I just want it to be simple and easy to use. Give me options…….physical home button……SD Card….removable battery. Give me something that won't break during everyday use…water resistant….scratch resistant. I don't need all aluminum housing then be worried about scratching it all the time. I don't want to have a phone that is made of great materials then have to cover it with a case to protect it…..then not be able to see those great materials. They become moot at that point.

 

[InuNacho]

Exactly. Why does Samsung even come out with half-baked features that don't work nearly as good as Apples?

Because it's Samsung.

 

[vomhorizon]

I don't want to have a phone that is made of great materials then have to cover it with a case to protect it…..then not be able to see those great materials. They become moot at that point.

How about a phone designed with the best materials (that look good and feel premium) that not only look great, feel great but also are so rugged that one does not need to cover the phone (for routine use) with a case or a screen protector. Thats a tough road to take, and would be truly innovative!

 

[jamezr]

How about a phone designed with the best materials (that look good and feel premium) that not only look great, feel great but also are so rugged that one does not need to cover the phone (for routine use) with a case or a screen protector. Thats a tough road to take, and would be truly innovative!

Sign me up! I am right there with you!

 

[vomhorizon]

Sign me up! I am right there with you!

I don't expect apple to take pre orders for the 6 and the new iDevice

 

[jamezr]

I don't expect apple to take pre orders for the 6 and the new iDevice

Well i can't wait to see what Apple has instore with the IP6. But i doubt it will have a SD Card slot…..and I know it won't have an removable battery. They seem to love the fragile exterior as well. Glass is nice on the front but not anywhere else…..

 

[vomhorizon]

Well i can't wait to see what Apple has instore with the IP6. But i doubt it will have a SD Card slot…..and I know it won't have an removable battery. They seem to love the fragile exterior as well. Glass is nice on the front but not anywhere else…..

While apple is not the only OEM to not have an SD card, i think that durability would be a main design feature of the iphone 6. I think you'll have better more survivable build material (from a ding, scratch and fall point of view) that forms the chassis and the screen will have elements of sapphire that would make it more scratch resistant and better equipped to take the dings normally associated with day to day use. But thats just what i see happening.

 

[jamezr]

While apple is not the only OEM to not have an SD card, i think that durability would be a main design feature of the iphone 6. I think you'll have better more survivable build material (from a ding, scratch and fall point of view) that forms the chassis and the screen will have elements of sapphire that would make it more scratch resistant and better equipped to take the dings normally associated with day to day use. But thats just what i see happening.

I like what you are saying but what makes you say that? What makes you think Apple will change their design features now? I mean we all think they will go with a larger display and larger overall phone. But the ruggedness factor I am not sure of.....

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I like what you are saying but what makes you say that? What makes you think Apple will change their design features now? I mean we all think they will go with a larger display and larger overall phone. But the ruggedness factor I am not sure of.....

It will be another stretched iPhone but they would need to make it slightly wider this time around. Other than that, I believe it will basically be the same design as the 5S, which is not bad at all IMO.

I don't think Apple is pressured by consumers to make the iPhone more rugged, especially since they are so good with support and replacing phones.