Samsung Galaxy S5 Features Will Not Include an Iris Scanner, Says Report

Samsung Galaxy S5 features will no longer include the heavily rumoured iris scanner, according to a report.

Patently Apple cited the Korean Press downplaying the rumour that Samsung Galaxy S5 will pack an eye scanner. It was reported earlier that such feature will be included in future Samsung Galaxy phones. There were also reports saying that Samsung is already working on it. However, it seems that it would take one or two more years for Samsung to make a smartphone that has a front-facing camera that is able to scan the iris as well as take selfies.

"In order to enable iris recognition on a smartphone, an extra camera designed specifically for the identification technology should be installed, which will make the smartphone bigger since there will be three camera modules. And since retina recognition requires a long range camera, the smartphone, if fitted with the camera, needs a completely different design from previous models," according to the insider in the Korean report.

The insider also added that Samsung will go for fingerprint sensor compared to a retina scanner. The source explained that using the eyes for authentication and security is not appealing, especially when the user is driving or watching movies.

Moreover, Samsung's EVP Lee Young Hee said in an interview during the CES trade show in Vegas earlier this month that "many people are fanatical about iris recognition technology. We are studying the possibility but can't really say whether we will have it or not on the S5." To add fuel to the fire, IriTech Inc. and Sambon Precision and Electronics Co., possible suppliers of retina sensors to Samsung, also confirmed that they are working on such feature for the company.

Last week, SamMobile cited an insider from Samsung who confirmed that the Galaxy S5 will come in two models: one with metal built and one with plastic body. The source also confirmed that Samsung Galaxy S5 will pack an AMOLED screen display with 2,560×1,440 pixel resolution as well as 16 MP back camera.

Other rumoured features of Samsung Galaxy S5 are octo-core Exynos 6 chipset or a Snapdragon 805 SoC for the 4G/LTE variant. The handset is also expected to run with Android 4.4 Kitkat OS. Samsung Galaxy S5 release date is speculated to take place in April.