Google Pixel optical fingerprint scanner is perfect for medical practitioners in gloves

I’ve been a strong advocate of adopting ultrasonic fingerprint scanners in Pixel smartphones ever since an in-display sensor debuted on the Pixel 6, but Google won’t budge. Google even went against the wishes of some potential Pixel 8 and 8 Pro buyers by using the same, albeit slightly improved optical fingerprint scanner found in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6. But as it turns out, Google sticking with an optical sensor even for the Pixel 8 might just be the best thing to ever happen to medical practitioners who are often using gloves while at work.

Despite the readily-available and arguably better ultrasonic sensor, Google insisted on using the often-erratic optical fingerprint scanner for the latest Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. While I might not approve of this choice, it seems Pixel users working in the medical field have been loving the experience of using an optical sensor over an ultrasonic sensor.

Going by some of the reactions to a Reddit thread showcasing this function in action on a Google Pixel 6 Pro, it seems like a game-changer for healthcare professionals. “I can too, I work in the medical field and I’m glad I can do that without taking off my gloves every time,” one Redditor commented on the thread. “It’s so bright that it lights up a dark room to make things distinctly visible,” another Redditor added while highlighting the light the scanner emits in order to read fingerprints. While there may be some concerns over spreading infections from your smartphone to a wound, this was quickly quashed away since medics sanitize hands or gloves after touching something. Alternatively, you can always change gloves after touching your phone.

“I’m at work right now (I work in an ER) and I just tried this and it worked!! So convenient,” yet another Redditor posited, which goes to show how much of a welcome function it is for medics. They don’t need to remove gloves to unlock their Pixel phones, ensuring seamless access to their devices even in medical emergencies.

Typically, smartphones with fingerprint scanners tend to struggle to recognize fingerprints through barriers like gloves. However, the Pixel’s optical fingerprint scanner easily overcomes this hurdle, making life easy for medical professionals who often wear gloves as part of their daily routine. Unlike ultrasonic fingerprint sensors that use ultrasound waves to create a 3D image of fingerprints, an optical sensor captures fingerprint images using light and sensors. The light emitted by the Pixel’s optical fingerprint scanner shines through the glove, enabling the device to read your fingerprint and unlock the phone.

It doesn’t change my mind, though. I still think the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro cheaped out with what is arguably a weaker and less reliable optical sensor when compared to the capabilities of the ultrasonic sensor. But this discovery makes the balance between making a great and perfect phone even more delicate. While the Pixel 8 is still a great phone, it isn’t perfect in everyone’s eyes, which is still okay.

Featured image: Google (YouTube)