Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

So?

  • Back

    Votes: 12 7.0%
  • Traditional front placement on bottom bezel

    Votes: 159 93.0%

  • Total voters
    171

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,208
17,268
just curious.

Let's say apple didn't do Touch ID embedded in display. But on the back like the 6P/5x/Pixel

Thoughts?
 
As a qualifier....I've never used a phone with the fingerprint scanner on the back.

But I'd prefer it on the front. If Apple doesn't build it into the screen, maybe they can slim it down similar to the Samsung phones or the HTC 10.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DMVillain
The back seems inconvenient. Although I have never tried it. I think the Touch ID seems more applicable where the user can see it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: KarmelVixen
The Kyocera durafoce that has s finger print scanner has it on the side... and it's annoying, as is on the back. I will always vote for on the front for the sole reason of a phone sitting face up on a flat surface.
 
Back would be terribly inconvenient for me. I work a desk job and I often unlock my phone without even picking it up. Not to mention the fact that I feel like not being able to actually SEE the button would be awkward, cumbersome, and would lead to a lot of inaccurate reads by the Touch ID sensor and therefore a lot of frustration.
 
if this was asked in 2013 you would get diff answers. now people have had 3 years of it on the front, no one gonna say yes lol.
 
Back would be terribly inconvenient for me. I work a desk job and I often unlock my phone without even picking it up. Not to mention the fact that I feel like not being able to actually SEE the button would be awkward, cumbersome, and would lead to a lot of inaccurate reads by the Touch ID sensor and therefore a lot of frustration.

No, on the screen would be very beneficial

Yeah, I'm with you guys on this too. The location of the TouchID button is currently in the most convenient place it could ever be put, as it's also where your thumb is naturally able to press it comfortably, without all sorts of awkward maneuvering. (the sides could work in theory, but I do still prefer the front, and the back would definitely be wrong). For me, TouchID is one of the features that I think Apple have already gotten perfect as it is, so is the one feature that I hope never changes. (I was even slightly disappointed when they changed from physical home button to the non-physical on the iPhone 7 models). But to be fair to them, they didn't do a bad job of mimicking that, as the taptic response does feel kinda similar, so I'll forgive them for it, but you do still kinda notice, and I don't think the virtual button was a necessary change. (It would have made more sense in the context of being a virtual button that could dynamically be part of the touch-screen, so long as you can adjust and choose where that goes (but I'd still probably always opt to place it where it is, as this feels the most convenient). So if the on-screen virtual button rumor ever proves to be true, the only extra advantage I can see is the ability to give it dynamic functionality, rather than position change. That idea I actually wouldn't be completely opposed to, as I can definitely see useful advantages for customizable buttons. But yes, the back is a complete no-no for me. The sides, while I'm sure I would live with it, are still inferior in my opinion. (even changes of the locations in the power button and volume buttons confuses me when they change that from model to model, so I don't want that awkward fumble to happen on something as important as the TouchID button) -The ability to just wake your device instantly without passwords or any fumbling whatsoever is what makes TouchID so great in my opinion, so moving it would completely undo its brilliance in terms of the whole convenience factor. Therefore, the more I think about it, being able to see it is a must!
 
Last edited:
It'd be awful IMO. The current position is as good as possible, until they're able to implement it under the display.
 
Pushing down with thumb on bottom half of the screen when it's showing a notification screen or a locked screen is enough for me. I pick up the phone and 3d-touch down, unlocked, no problem for me.
 
TouchID on the front is perfect imo. Advantages include: being able to unlock your phone when it's lying flat on a desk, multiple finger prints can be registered and used comfortably, makes more ergonomic sense.

I guess my last point is very subjective. Since Apple Pay is two quick taps of the home button,it makes more sense for it to be on the front then on the back. The touchid/home button are dual purpose so it's a much smarter design as well. The only reason google is doing it on the back is to obviously avoid patent infringement and to not make a 100% iPhone copy. The pixel phones really are about 90% a straight up iPhone 6 copy.

One other thing, they went with a design that has 40% of the back glass to incorporate the finger print scanner. Yuck. And good luck when you drop your phone and have to worry about not only shattering your screen, but your finger print scanner as well.

I don't think Apple has a thing to worry about this generation of phones. Notice how during the keynotes Google and Samsung almost have to mention Apple in some way or another(whether to mention why they think their design is better, or to poke fun), Apple does not mention any other competitor during theirs. Apple knows they are the leader in the industry, and they clearly arent concerned with the copy cats.

What's that saying? Copying is a sincere form of flattery. Makes sense.
 
Would prefer to have it embedded in the screen. Holding the phone one-handed, it can be akward to twist your hand to move the thumb down there quickly. Putting the thumb anywhere on the screen to achieve the same would be nice.
 
The only thing that needs to be on the back of the phone are logos camera flash and speaker port. I dont need any reason whatsoever to look at the back of the phone. I always thought putting stuff on the back of the phone was the dumbest idea ever. The screen would be the 2nd best place.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5105973
I would rather use my thumb and not have to flip it over to use it on a table. I prefer it on the front.
 
i usually open with my ring finger, alternatively, upper right on the back with my index finger would be better for me.
 
It'd be awful IMO. The current position is as good as possible, until they're able to implement it under the display.
it's hard to imagine unless you've tried it.
to original poster- you really need to only ask people who gave tried both.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.