Under-display fingerprint scanners have been used by several smartphone OEMs for several years now, but Google has yet to do it for the Pixel phones. However, that could change with the Pixel 6 series after potential bits of evidence found in the Android 12 codes.
Google might finally use an under-display fingerprint scanner on Pixel 6
Google recently released the second version of the Android 12 developer preview. While it has been a good source of information about upcoming features and improvements to the operating system, it may have also revealed some details about the upcoming Pixel devices.
Developer kdrag0n discovered some changes in the SystemUIGoogle app that XDA Developers believes could be hinting at a new feature on the Pixel 6. The report points at a new class labeled “UdfpsControllerGoogle” with “udfps,” meaning under-display fingerprint scanner.
The same report clarifies that the new class is unlikely added for other Android-supported devices as the new class is not found in the com.android.systemui, which would mean it is intended for the Android Open Source Project. The UdfpsControllerGoogle class was reportedly found in the com.google.android.systemui path increases the possibility it was added for a Google-made phone, a.k.a. an upcoming Pixel device.
Google removed the fingerprint scanner feature in the Pixel 4 series to replace it with facial recognition functionality. However, the company’s strategy changed again last year and brought back the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 5.
Google Pixel 6 release date is likely in late 2021
While many details can still change from the time the Android 12 DP2 was released to the launch of Pixel 6, it is not entirely impossible for Google to finally adopt the under-display fingerprint scanner this year. It has been quite popular among premium Android devices in recent years. It is also worth noting that Apple has been rumored to bring back Touch ID through an under-display sensor for the iPhone 13 series.
Google is rumored to launch a new phone in June. If that information tallies, the event is more likely going to be about the Pixel 5a. The company is expected to announce its next flagship smartphone, possibly called Pixel 6, in the fall.
Featured photo by Lukenn Sabellano on Unsplash


SpaceX Updates Starlink Privacy Policy to Allow AI Training as xAI Merger Talks and IPO Loom
TSMC Eyes 3nm Chip Production in Japan with $17 Billion Kumamoto Investment
Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026
Global PC Makers Eye Chinese Memory Chip Suppliers Amid Ongoing Supply Crunch
SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval for Massive Solar-Powered Satellite Network to Support AI Data Centers
AMD Shares Slide Despite Earnings Beat as Cautious Revenue Outlook Weighs on Stock
Elon Musk’s Empire: SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI Merger Talks Spark Investor Debate
Palantir Stock Jumps After Strong Q4 Earnings Beat and Upbeat 2026 Revenue Forecast
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links
Federal Judge Signals Possible Dismissal of xAI Lawsuit Against OpenAI
SoftBank Shares Slide After Arm Earnings Miss Fuels Tech Stock Sell-Off
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns
Instagram Outage Disrupts Thousands of U.S. Users
SoftBank and Intel Partner to Develop Next-Generation Memory Chips for AI Data Centers
Nvidia, ByteDance, and the U.S.-China AI Chip Standoff Over H200 Exports 



