The 9 best mobile phones with a fingerprint reader

It is easy to find a mobile with this sensor in the current market, but it is not so easy that the best specifications in the sector accompany the chosen one. To help you select a quality terminal that you can unlock using your fingerprints, in this guide, we recommend the best mobile phones with a fingerprint reader.

Then, if your budget is limited, we will also talk about the best cheap mobile phones with a fingerprint because, no, spending little money on your next phone is not incompatible with the fact that it has a fingerprint sensor.

• Top of the best mobile phones with fingerprint
• What is the best mobile with a fingerprint sensor?
• What types of fingerprint readers are there in mobiles?
• Seven cheap mobile phones with fingerprint

Top of the best mobile phones with fingerprint

Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, OnePlus … There are many firms that in recent months have blessed the market with terminals with advanced specifications. Some are more expensive, others more affordable, below we recommend the best mobiles that include a fingerprint reader among those interesting features.

• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
• OnePlus 9 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi 11
• OPPO Find X3 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
• ASUS Rog Phone 5
• realme GT 5G
• OnePlus Nord 2
• Google Pixel 4a

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

At the top of the current Samsung mobile catalog is the Galaxy S21 Ultra, a high-end in which the fingerprint reader cannot be missing. In this case, we are talking about an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that hides under the screen.

As we could see in our analysis of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, it is a larger sensor than those used so far by the South Korean firm. The speed is very similar to that of those previous readers, but you can see a greater precision. In addition, the area occupied by the reader is higher, which makes it easier to find the area where you have to place your finger to unlock the terminal.

Other specifications that confirm the high level of this Galaxy S21 are a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with 120 Hz refresh rate, Exynos 2100 processor, 12 or 16 GB of RAM, four rear cameras with 108 MP main sensor, and 5,000 mAh battery with fast charging, fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.

OnePlus 9 Pro

Another of the best mobiles of 2021 is the OnePlus 9 Pro, in which the under-screen fingerprint reader cannot be missing to unlock it quickly. As we saw in the review of the OnePlus 9 Pro, this reader is in a position closer to the lower edge of the screen than usual. It may take a while to get used to that new position, but that doesn’t stop the sensor from providing a fast and reliable response.

As we say, this reader is under the terminal screen, but what are their characteristics? Specifically, it is a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with WQHD + resolution and a refresh rate of 120 Hz that offers a magnificent experience. Power is not lacking in the OnePlus 9 Pro, as it has the Snapdragon 888 5G processor from which you can ask everything you want.

Other great features of the most advanced OnePlus model are the 48 MP main camera, 50 MP ultra-wide-angle, 8 MP telephoto, and 2 MP monochrome. In general, it is a complete camera module. The OnePlus 9 Pro also mounts a 4,500 mAh battery with 65W fast charging and 50W wireless charging. As you can see, it is a first-rate smartphone with little more to ask for.

Xiaomi Mi 11

Xiaomi’s flagship in 2021, the Mi 11, is undoubtedly one of the best fingerprint phones you can buy right now. As a good high-end that it is, this Xiaomi Mi 11 incorporates the fingerprint reader under its 6.81-inch AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

In addition, the purchase of the Xiaomi Mi 11 is also justified if we consider that it equips Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, 8 or 12 GB of RAM, triple rear camera with 108 MP main sensor and 4,600 mAh battery with 55W fast charge, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging.

In short, a terminal that combines a good screen, Qualcomm’s most modern processor, complete autonomy, and, of course, the desired fingerprint reader.

OPPO Find X3 Pro

The OPPO Find X3 Pro is another of the best phones of 2021 that mounts a fingerprint reader. If we look at the level of its features and its price, it is easy to imagine where this sensor is located. Yes, you guessed it right, the Find X3 Pro has an in-screen fingerprint reader. You have to place the finger registered in the system on that sensor so that the mobile is unlocked easily and quickly.

This OPPO mobile has a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with WQHD + resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate, which is simply spectacular. Under its chassis works the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, which promises extreme performance whatever the task you have to perform. Android 11 is its operating system, and Color OS 11.1 is the customization layer developed by the Chinese firm.

The OPPO Find X3 Pro mounts a quad rear camera led by a 50 MP sensor. In addition, it highlights its 4,500 mAh battery with 65W fast charging, 30W wireless charging, and reversible wireless charging. If you choose to charge it by cable – the charger is included – the charging process will only take half an hour.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

Although it is not as fast as that of its older brothers, the under-screen fingerprint sensor that equips the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE also offers good performance, it is an optical sensor, unlike the ultrasonic one used by the higher models of the Galaxy S family. However, the difference in precision between the two is barely perceptible.

In this Galaxy S20 FE, the affordable one of the Galaxy S20, other specifications also stand out such as 6.5-inch Infinity-O Super AMOLED screen with 120 Hz refresh rate, Samsung Exynos 990 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (5G) processor -depends on the version- and 4,500 mAh battery with 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging, undoubtedly one of its strongest points.

The Samsung smartphone also stands out for having three rear cameras offering high-quality captures without any unnecessary sensors. The main camera is 12 MP and is accompanied by a 12 MP wide-angle and an 8 MP telephoto. In short, the Galaxy S20 FE is a cheap high-end from Samsung that can give you many joys.

ASUS Rog Phone 5

The ASUS ROG Phone 5 is a “gaming” mobile with a data sheet full of cutting-edge specifications. Specifically, it is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with Full HD + resolution and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. One of them is the under-screen fingerprint reader, which shows the same speed as the phone itself. Not only is it responsible for housing the fingerprint sensor, but it also offers high-definition content viewing and very fast fluidity.

Being “gaming,” the ROG Phone 5 needs the best processor on the Android market and therefore has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G. No matter what application or game you want to run, the phone will do it quickly and powerfully, without the appearance of lags. Also, it comes with Android 11 and a 3.5mm headphone jack port that can come in handy when gaming.

With the ROG Phone 5, you can also take quality photos thanks to a rear camera led by a 64 MP main sensor. Finally, mount a 6,000 mAh battery that will last all day despite intensive use and that you can charge in the blink of an eye thanks to the 65W fast charge.

realme GT 5G

In mobile of the quality of the real GT 5G, a fingerprint sensor could not be missing to unlock the terminal. This is in the lower half of the screen, and, as we told you in the realm GT 5G review, it works with a short response time and good precision. When it comes to unlocking it, you can also opt for face unlock or other more traditional methods, such as PIN, password, or pattern.

The realme GT 5G screen is AMOLED technology and has a size of 6.43 inches. In addition, it is of Full HD + resolution and a refresh rate of 120 Hz to offer good fluidity. Power is not an issue thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, which can handle it all. realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 is its operating system.

For photographs, the real GT 5G has a 64 MP main camera, accompanied by an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle and a 2 MP macro. In addition, it has a 4,500 mAh battery with a 65W fast charge, simply outstanding power. For only 499 euros, you can buy the 8 + 128 GB version of the real me GT 5G.

OnePlus Nord 2

Among the best mobile phones with a fingerprint reader of 2021 is also the OnePlus Nord 2, with a significantly lower price than the previous terminals. If you are interested in knowing what the screen in question is like, it is a 6.43-inch AMOLED panel with Full HD + resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate. Despite this detail, the Nord 2 also mounts the fingerprint sensor under the screen, where it offers fast and precise use that you will quickly get used to.

The processor of the Nord 2 is the MediaTek Dimensity 1200, and the truth is that it offers a first-level performance, with speed per flag. At the rear, the terminal has three cameras: 50 MP main, 8 MP ultra-wide-angle, and 2 MP monochrome. Both these and the 32 MP front camera are capable of capturing very good quality images.

We finish talking about the OnePlus Nord 2 battery that, thanks to a 4,500 mAh capacity, reaches the day of use without any problems. If we add to that that it charges in about 40 minutes thanks to the 65W fast charge, we are faced with a very, very complete mobile for only 400 euros.

Google Pixel 4a

On the back of the Google Pixel 4a, there is a capacitive fingerprint sensor that acts with great speed and precision, as we told you in its analysis. In addition, its correct location makes it accessible at all times when you use the mobile, either with one or two hands.

Suppose we have to select other highlights of this Pixel 4a. In that case, we are without a doubt its good performance thanks to the combination of Snapdragon 730 – 6GB of RAM, the best camera on the market in mobile in its category, and a small size that makes it shine among so many giant mobiles.

What is the best mobile with a fingerprint sensor?

The best mobile with a fingerprint sensor that you can buy today is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Its quality is not only a very advanced technical sheet, but it is also palpable in practice.

During our analysis of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, we were able to see first-hand that it has the best screen we have seen in mobile to date, that it offers very good performance and autonomy, and that it has the most versatile camera system seen in a mobile Samsung.

To all this, we must add, of course, the performance of its ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the screen, fast, accurate, and with a larger area so that it is easier to find it. In our opinion, these are all the highlights that make the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra the best mobile with a fingerprint sensor of the moment.

What types of fingerprint readers are there in mobiles?

The types of fingerprint readers most used in current mobiles are three: capacitive, optical, and ultrasonic.

In the first place, capacitive sensors are made up of capacitors that receive the electrical charge from the finger that we place on the reader and create a map of the fingerprint readers to check if it is registered in the terminal.

On the other hand, we have optical sensors that photograph the fingerprint, scan it and compare it with those stored in the device previously. In this guide, we have already mentioned some models with this type of reader, such as the OnePlus 8 Pro or the Vivo X51 5G.

Finally, your mobile can have an ultrasonic reader, characteristic of the most advanced terminals of the Samsung Galaxy S family. The operation of this type of reader consists of emitting ultrasound in the form of pulses through the screen. When colliding with the fingerprint, part of these ultrasounds returns to the sensor with information about the unique patterns of the user’s fingerprint. A much more precise three-dimensional image is generated than that created by optical readers.

Finally, that information is compared with that stored in the mobile to check if it is the same fingerprint and, in this way, allow the unlocking of the terminal. The Galaxy S21 Ultra itself, mentioned as the best mobile with a fingerprint reader, equips one of those ultrasonic readers.

Seven cheap mobile phones with fingerprint

Fingerprint readers are common components in current mobiles; that is, they have both those that belong to the upper range and those more affordable terminals. Next, we recommend seven cheap mobile phones with fingerprints.

• POCO X3 Pro
• realme 8 Pro
• OnePlus Nord N100
• Redmi Note 10 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy M12
• realme Narzo 30 5G
• LITTLE M3 Pro 5G

POCO X3 Pro

The POCO X3 Pro is one of the best mobiles of 2021, as it offers outstanding features for just over 200 euros. Of course, the X3 Pro has a fingerprint reader, in this case, located on the right side. Specifically, the sensor is located on the power button, and you have to place your finger on it to unlock the phone.

As we say, the smartphone has outstanding features, such as its 6.7-inch IPS LCD screen with Full HD + resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. Its processor is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860, with plenty of power to offer great performance even if the tasks are heavier. In addition, it comes with Android 11 under the MIUI 12 customization layer.

Of 48 MP is the main chamber of the POCO X3 Pro, in charge of taking pictures of good resolution and color reproduction. In addition, it has an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle, a 2 MP macro, and a 2 MP depth sensor. Another of its jewels is the battery, with a capacity of 5,160 mAh and fast charging of 33W.

realme 8 Pro

The realme 8 Pro is another cheap mobile with a fingerprint reader, which surprises its position. And it is not common for mobiles of this price to have the fingerprint reader on the screen, as it happens in the realm 8 Pro. Just by placing your finger on the sensor, the phone will be unlocked in the blink of an eye.

Speaking of the screen, it’s a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with Full HD + resolution that looks great. Under its chassis is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor, especially focused on moving games with good solvency. The realme 8 Pro can have 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage that can be expanded by microSD. Its operating system is Android 11 under the realm customization layer.

The smartphone also stands out for its 108 MP main camera, which takes very good pictures. It also features an 8 MP ultra-wide angle, a 2 MP depth sensor, and a 2 MP macro. Its 4,500 mAh battery with 50W fast charge reaches the day of use and charges in about 45 minutes.

OnePlus Nord N100

The OnePlus experience is cheaper than ever thanks to the OnePlus Nord N100, the most affordable mobile that the Chinese company has launched. To unlock this terminal, you can use both facial recognition and the fingerprint sensor that mounts on the back, with a very accessible position.

On the other hand, this Nord N100 also equips a 6.5-inch LCD screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 processor, 4 GB of RAM, a triple rear camera with a 13 MP main sensor, and a large 5,000 mAh battery with an 18W fast charge.

Redmi Note 10 Pro

Xiaomi is known for the great value for money of its mobiles, a strategy that is perfectly reflected in this Redmi Note 10 Pro. Of course, you can unlock the terminal with your fingerprint, thanks to a sensor located on the power button. You don’t have to press that button; you have to place your finger on it.

In this case, the sensor is not located under the 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with Full HD + resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. Its processor is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, with a good power level to run applications and games. In addition, it comes with Android 11 under the MIUI 12 customization layer.

When you buy the Redmi Note 10 Pro, you also get a mobile capable of taking pictures, especially for its 108 MP camera. Nor will you be left without power for the first few changes since its 5,020 mAh battery with 33W fast charge easily exceeds the day of use.

Samsung Galaxy M12

There are also cheap Samsung phones with a fingerprint reader on the market, for example, the Samsung Galaxy M12. The South Korean terminal houses the fingerprint sensor in the power button on the right side, providing a faster and more secure unlocking method than facial recognition.

A 6.5-inch LCD screen almost entirely occupies its front with HD + resolution and a refresh rate of 90 Hz, the latter being a differential characteristic. The processor is the Samsung Exynos 850, so everything is at home. In terms of memory, you can choose between 4 and 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of internal storage. If you use a microSD card, you can expand it up to 1TB.

The Galaxy M12 is also a good smartphone for its 48 MP main camera, with a 5 MP ultra-wide-angle, a 2 MP macro, and a 2 MP depth sensor. In addition, it equips a 5,000 mAh battery with a 15W fast charge that can reach up to two days of use.

realme Narzo 30 5G

If you have a budget of about 200 euros to purchase your new mobile, you must have the realme Narzo 30 5G. This model offers you several options to unlock it, among which is the fingerprint reader. As in previous models, it is located on the power button on the right side.

The Marzo 30 5G equips a 6.5-inch LCD screen with Full HD + resolution and a refresh rate of 90 Hz, offering a rare fluidity in such cheap mobiles. The power is handled by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, with an integrated 5G modem to connect to the fastest networks. In addition, it has 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage expandable by microSD. It comes with Android 11.

The 48 MP main camera is the one in charge of taking the best pictures. Another of its strengths is the autonomy, which can reach two days of use thanks to a 5,000 mAh battery with an 18W fast charge.

LITTLE M3 Pro 5G

Special mention also deserves the POCO M3 Pro 5G, with a very interesting datasheet for its price. Let’s explain that Poco’s terminal mounts the fingerprint reader on the power button, located on its right side. Just place your finger on it to unlock the phone. You can also opt for facial recognition or the configuration of a password, PIN, or pattern.

The POCO M3 Pro has a 6.5-inch IPS screen with Full HD + resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate, offering a good experience for its price. In addition, it mounts a MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor with an integrated 5G modem, also becoming a very cheap mobile with 5G. Its operating system is Android 11 under the MIUI 12 customization layer.

It is also capable of taking good pictures thanks to a 48 MP main camera, 2 MP macro camera, and 2 MP depth sensor. Its autonomy is magnificent, as its 5,000 mAh battery can last up to two days of use. In addition, it supports 18W fast charging.