S23 ultra - Face and fingerprint unlocks are trash

[Hummus70]

For 2000 AUD phone, how come on earth we have inferior face unlock and super inferior fingerprint scanner! Cheap Chinese phones can produce better fingerprint and face unlock.

I am really frustrated from this overpriced phone. Out of 10 times 3 or 4 times the unlock succeeds. This phone is a rip off. Ditch the useless pen and give us a reliable unlock method like the other good phones!!! 

#samsung #s23

[Dolgogi]

Many of the "cheap Chinese phones", (as you said), use an optical sensor which is much easier to fool than the Ultrasonic sensor Samsung and others use, also likely why they seem to be more accurate in many circumstances.

The Ultrasonic sensor in the S23 series is the Qualcomm 3D Sonic Sensor Gen 2.
One major issue with Ultrasonic style sensors is that many types of screen protectors mess with sensor and result in low accuracy.

In Samsung's support pages, they advise the following:

"To reduce the noise that may temporarily be generated when the screen is turned on or off, there is a 0.3 sec delay, which initialises the related touch module. Therefore, if you try to recognise your fingerprint as soon as you turn the screen on or off, the device may not immediately recognise your fingerprint properly. Try once more and the feature should work."

I would also ask, if you're using a screen protector, have you tried turning on Touch Sensitivity in the Display settings?

Regarding the Face unlock, I personally don't use it, as it's not very secure.
However, from reading support articles for it's use, did you register your face in a well lit background? Usually against a light coloured wall works best.

Edit: having said all that, I would prefer if Samsung used the fingerprint sensor in the side/power key like they do with the Fold & Flip series.

Edit 2: when I register my finger prints, for example my thumb, I use both thumbs during the process (roughly 50% of the scan for each thumb) and I find my accuracy rate to be very high, unless my screen is off and I miss the location 😁

[HotshotHomer811]

If your accuracy rate is less 100%, it's garbage. I've had this phone for a month. Wasted $1700 on it. I'm going to buy a new iPhone today. Samsung products are junk

[dorrington_paul]

You don't always get what you pay for. Instead of using a finger print or face scan how about just using a 8 digit number to lock your phone and open it. I've had a Samsung A20 for years that has all three. I still go with the 8 digits. My only problem with the phone is not enough storage on it. Apart from that it's all good. Oh the phone only cost me just over $300.00 and it takes great photos. Sometimes expensive is not the way to go.

[Hummus70]

Thanks! Appreciate the detailed explanation. However, this behaviour from one of the most expensive phones in the market is not acceptable. I am going to ditch all android phones and switch to iPhone. At least in apple devices you dont face issues in basic functions.

[HotshotHomer811]

I know what you mean. Just bought an s23 ultra 2 weeks ago. I'm coming from an iPhone 13pro max and I think I'm going to go back. This phone is pretty **bleep** for the price. I've been just putting in my pass code for the last week because the biometrics aren't worth my time

[HotshotHomer811]

IPhones are way better. I've had a galaxy s23 ultra for a month and it's the **bleep**tiest phone I've ever owned

[_nok_]

Try registering the same finger multiple times (you have 4 slots available anyway).

Also as Dolgogi said, if you are using screen protector specially those tempered glass are hit or miss. Better use film protectors.

[uchetia]

Mine works 95% of the time. I'm using the Samsung film protector on mine. I have registered only one fingerprint

[HotshotHomer811]

Anything less than 100% is unexceptable. Samsung likes to be the first one to add niche features but they never work well