Google adopts Korean firm’s fingerprint recognition module for Pixel 2 smartphones: sources

Google has adopted a fingerprint recognition module exclusively developed by CrucialTec based in South Korea for its upcoming Pixel 2 smartphone series, according to sources on Sunday.

“CrucialTec is preparing to supply its fingerprint solution Biometric TrackPad for Google’s Pixel 2 series,” a source told The Korea Herald. “The Korean company has been a major supplier for past Google phones from the Nexus series to the predecessor Pixel 1.”

CrucialTec is a biometric solution developer that was the first to supply fingerprint authentication solution for mobile devices for a number of manufacturers around the world, except for Apple and Samsung.

The company’s Biometric TrackPad, or BTP, has been used by Huawei, Meizu, OPPO, Vivo, Microsoft, Sony, Fujitsu and LG Electronics.

The Korean firm’s BTP will be applied to the rear side of Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones in a circular shape, as announced by Google on Oct. 4. 

Considering that Google last month acquired a smartphone manufacturing unit of Taiwan’s HTC for about $1.1 billion, the US software mogul seems to be paying more attention to hardware quality of its phones with the Pixel 2 series definitely being the first result.

“Since Google is increasing investments in hardware in order to seek a competitive edge over its software rivals Amazon and Facebook, CrucialTec’s being part of the Google supply chain is noticeable,” the source said.

Advancing the current fingerprint authentication solutions, CrucialTec is currently preparing to launch a patented on-display fingerprint authentication solution, called Display Fingerprint Solution, as the industry’s first amid an ongoing race to introduce the first smartphone with a touch screen display incorporated with a fingerprint recognizing sensor.

Regarding the supply contract with Google, a CrucialTec official declined to comment, saying “We can’t confirm any piece of information about our customers.”

By Song Su-hyun (song@heraldcorp.com)