As we have already reported, and the new Galaxy S8 from Samsung more and more tangible. Not only the technical data represent that Smartphone as the new flagship of the South Koreans, and the unlocking technology also provides plenty to talk about. While Apple with a new ID touch technology and wants to work with a fingerprint scan across the entire screen, Samsung focuses on a so-called iris scan. But according to reports, this feature is now on the brink.
How does the iris scan work?
Owners of the Samsung Note 7 can judge the iris scan because the technology was already installed in this model. However, this was lost due to the battery debacle and the worldwide recall of the devices. So the feature has been almost unnoticed so far and should get more attention in the 8th generation from Samsung.
The technology is based on an infrared light and an iris camera. This combination should be able to optimally read and recognize the pattern of the iris around the pupil - even in dark light conditions. The pattern is then converted into a series of numbers (ones and zeros). Since each iris is unique, this appears to be a secure system. Unlocking should only be possible over a certain distance, but unlock the device very quickly.
Algorithm is secret
A complicated algorithm cuts out the iris when scanned by the two cameras. We also thought about covering the eyelashes, which can also be cut out. The data word into which the pattern of the iris is converted can show a deviation of up to 25% and is still considered accepted. The eyelash problem is solved. Because not only this problem, but also different light irradiation, contact lenses or a Shine Hair and Beard Oil do not always result in exactly the same data word. Abuse by another person should still not be that easy (otherwise there would be no point) - another person's iris deviates by far more than just 25%.
That sounds as far as a sophisticated process, which it undoubtedly is. But it cannot be denied that, similar to fingerprint scanning, small tricks with criminal energy can undermine the system. The technology is still in its infancy and shows great potential. However, whether the Galaxy S8 can trump with this without any problems remains unclear and definitely doubtful.
0,01 second unlock time unbeatable
Face ID is a bit more researched, which makes its unlock time absolutely unbeatable at just 0,01 seconds. While there is no well-founded data for the time of the iris scanner (yet), 0,01 seconds doesn't seem to be able to counteract anything.
But it is not just the speed, the security against intentional misuse is also unclear. Recently, many ways a fingerprint scan can be tricked have become public. The biometric method via the iris does not offer any more security and also seems to be trickable. A pure iris scan for unlocking therefore seems illogical.
Apple is building on facial recognition, which Samsung is probably trusting more and more. The reason is simple. The whole face offers more biometric factors, which combined are harder to mimic than a fingerprint or the pattern of the iris.
Unlock too fast
In the Note 7, there were several construction sites for the iris scanner. While safety and speed have already been mentioned, it is comfort that often leaves a lot to be desired. Because if you wanted to take a quick look at the lock screen and lifted the cell phone in front of your face, it could happen that the screen was unlocked too quickly and it was not possible to take a quick look at the clock. Now you can say we can't do it right. Unlocking as with a numeric code or fingerprint (i.e. whenever the user wants) is still a long way off.
It can be said that the error rate when unlocking is simply too high. Other irises could not unlock the smartphone, but the scanner could not always master the various conditions (glasses, light, contact lenses) with flying colors.
What it will be exactly and what unlocking options the Samsung Galaxy S8 offers is still open - a fingerprint, face and iris scan all seem possible and will probably occur in combination. The user will then be able to decide what suits him best or can even adjust the use even more individually.
