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Hello.
I see peoples around on the internet (here on XDA to) that are complaining about the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy Note 4 to be bad and inaccurate. Well, i'm here to tell you that it's not the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy Note 4 that is bad or inaccurate, but it's your way of setting the fingerprint scanner up that is the problem.
I have set up my fingerprint scanner up correctly and it works extremely good. Just follow this guide and you will be all fine. This video is not made by me by the way and even if this shows the setup process for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablets, it still works the same for the Galaxy Note 4.
I also added a poll about the fingerprint scanner in the post here. ONLY answer it after you have correctly set up the fingerprint scanner according to the guide in the YouTube video and after you have given the fingerprint scanner some tries, thanks.
Have a good day.
Hmm well I have watched your video but I think you missed out what is causing the unsatisfactory experience.
If you are unlocking the phone supported/two-handed, such as in the video, phone placed on a stationary platform such as a table and you swipe your finger; or your left hand holding the phone while your right hand swipes the scanner - it isn't exactly a convenient feature. If you are unlocking the phone 2-handed, there isn't a lot of difference from unlocking using PIN.
2-handed unlock is 99.9% accurate for me - same as the iPhone 6/6+'s one-touch scanner. However, unlocking one handed is another matter. The phone will prompt you for a second set of 10 swipes after you done your first 10 - and if you did your second set of 10 supported on table or with your other hand, then you are likely to face issues unlocking single handed.
This is because the con of a swipe censor is that it is less accurate vs the one-touch version, and the drag of your finger/thumb while swiping distorts your fingerprint (because your flesh drags and there is pressure) according to the direction you swipe. The way you swipe 2 handed will be different from the way you swipe single handed.
I have no problems registering the first set of 10 with the conventional thumb downwards swipe. That is easy. But during the second set of 10 where I try to register one handed with my thumb swiping on its sides, there is a few hit and misses. I have eventually gotten used to it and accuracy in unlocking improved much, but for every 10 unlocks I can still miss 1 or 2 times. It is no wear near the accuracy nor convenience of the one-touch sensors.
At first when I got the device I thought the scanner was garbage (I was garbage not the scanner :3) used to get 30-40% accuracy, I was swiping my finger on the scanner in same direction (downwards) everytime as instructed while registering, when it dint work well I turned it off, then I came across few threads n vids and understood I have to swipe my whole pad in from different variations and angles while registering I tried that and woila, I have almost 99% accuracy now, it works sooo soo good now, been using it since more than a week and I unlock it around minimum 50 times a day using it and also use some apps I've assigned fingerprint to and I've only failed once since I corrected the method of registering finger. so yup, awesome scanner much btr than s5 the only trick is to register from diff angles as shown in video n you'll be good to go.. :good:
I dont care how well it works with two hands, its the thumb on my right hand when using the device onehanded thats the "problem".
It works most of the time, and ive registered my right thumb in various angles and variations like in the video. But not all the time. Its fine for normal use, though, it really is. But if you have a shorter thumb than me, it might be a lot worse. Even for me, its a bit of a dud due to the fact that it sometimes doesnt register (my thumb might be slightly off center, or I swipe too fast, etc).
The more reasonable method would be a slimmer bezel at the bottom, drop the scanner on the homebutton, add a onepress scanner at the back of the device for your index, instead of that horribly useless heartrate/oxygenlevel monitor.
i tried the fingerprint scanner, did it 10 times to recognize it and set it but it didn't show up so i restarted my new note 4 and it worked and i swiped my finger and it unlocked then i locked it again but the fingerprint scanner went away again and its only giving me an option to swipe to unlock.
I tried to set up the fingerprint scanner several times with different methods/angles. I was unable to get a good experience unlocking it with one hand. The iPhone is miles better in this department. Works almost every time two-handed, though.
The way Samsung design it sense is not good. You need gently swipe down which simply look stupid and troublesome.
This part no deny iPhone did it great by press and hold only.
Agreed. That being said, I dont see any real point of it. Its much like the UV sensor, the heartrate sensor and all that other jazz.
The fingerprint scanner is just pure garbage. Not sure why so many are blaming Samsung for not giving proper instructions? Everything in that video the OP posted is clearly explained in the fingerprint registration stage. It even has an animated finger that shows you how to scan different parts of the finger and different angles and directions. Its not that we have not registered the fingerprint properly, its that the scanner is just worse than ebola and aids combined. The poll results also support my assertion that the scanner is totally sh1t.
---------- Post added at 08:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:25 AM ----------
Slai said:
Agreed. That being said, I dont see any real point of it. Its much like the UV sensor, the heartrate sensor and all that other jazz.
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The fingerprint scanner is not jazz. If it worked properly most people could get some real use of the fingerprint scanner versus the UV sensor.
The only real use would be protecting certain apps and unlocking the phone. Both of which are easily doable with a PIN. that being said I don't have a problem using the scanner with one hand nor two, but it's not 100%, I agree it should have been better placed. Preferably at the back under the camera for your index.
I guess I get about 9/10 first try unlocks at this point, one handed.
I have tried all the methods and it still is mostly garbage for me. And it starts registering the swipe after a half-second delay which means you need to wait for the screen to turn on and for the arrow to show up - what a waste of time. It is also only 10% accurate for me (even when I have registered 15 different angles for the one finger I use). Maybe a software update will make it a bit better, who knows. For now - I will turn it off as before.
Maybe just register in the same-ish angles...
I still don't see what the problem is. I still have 99% success with my fingerprint scanner. It simply just works every time i'm using it.
Either you are setting the fingerprint scanner up in a wrong way, using it wrong, or there must be some problems with the fingerprint scanner.
I'm even tempted to make a video that shows how good my fingerprint scanner works just to prove it .
And lastly. Even if Touch ID on the iPhone is more easy to use, it's far from being more secure than the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S5 / Note 4. Because on Touch ID, you just presses directly on top of the home button on the iPhone, which leaves your fingerprint open to anyone who manage to steal your iPhone. On the Galaxy S5 / Note 4, you have to swipe to get it to work, which means that you are actually swiping away the fingerprint on the button as you swipe.
Because of that, a thief is going to have a hard time to find your actual fingerprint to use to open the phone.
Tom-Helge said:
I still don't see what the problem is. I still have 99% success with my fingerprint scanner. It simply just works every time i'm using it.
Either you are setting the fingerprint scanner up in a wrong way, using it wrong, or there must be some problems with the fingerprint scanner.
I'm even tempted to make a video that shows how good my fingerprint scanner works just to prove it .
And lastly. Even if Touch ID on the iPhone is more easy to use, it's far from being more secure than the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S5 / Note 4. Because on Touch ID, you just presses directly on top of the home button on the iPhone, which leaves your fingerprint open to anyone who manage to steal your iPhone. On the Galaxy S5 / Note 4, you have to swipe to get it to work, which means that you are actually swiping away the fingerprint on the button as you swipe.
Because of that, a thief is going to have a hard time to find your actual fingerprint to use to open the phone.
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If you can make a video where you at least 10 times in a row unlock the phone, while holding it comfortably in one hand, I'll believe you. I'm talking about unlocking it with the same hand holding the phone, not two hands. If so many people have problems with the scanner, Samsung either has piss poor quality control, or it's just inferior by design.
And have you ever used an iPhone at all? There's no usable track of your fingerprint after you unlocked the phone. Unless you have very greasy fingers, in which case you wouldn't be able to unlock the phone anyway.
Samsung did most things right with the Note 4, but the fingerprint sensor wasn't one of them.
This is ridiculous. We can blame Samsung for building a swipe-scanner rather than touch like Apple but what is this unlocking with one hand business? Look at how big the device is, I would think you have higher risk of dropping the device than it failing for you when you swipe with one hand given the device is top heavy based on how one would hold it if attempting to one-hand finger unlock.
However, if your device lays flat on a table when trying to unlock, make sure you get it at the same angle you registered it at...
Couldn't agree more.. Look at the poll... Clearly doesn't work like it should.
an_xda said:
This is ridiculous. We can blame Samsung for building a swipe-scanner rather than touch like Apple but what is this unlocking with one hand business? Look at how big the device is, I would think you have higher risk of dropping the device than it failing for you when you swipe with one hand given the device is top heavy based on how one would hold it if attempting to one-hand finger unlock.
However, if your device lays flat on a table when trying to unlock, make sure you get it at the same angle you registered it at...
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For me, having a fingerprint sensor is mostly for convenience. If I'm already holding my phone and have both hands available, it's not much faster than using a pattern or PIN code. Especially when I'm in a hurry or wanna check something quickly, pattern or PIN is much more reliable, because I'm "swiping too fast".
Mafle93 said:
For me, having a fingerprint sensor is mostly for convenience. If I'm already holding my phone and have both hands available, it's not much faster than using a pattern or PIN code. Especially when I'm in a hurry or wanna check something quickly, pattern or PIN is much more reliable, because I'm "swiping too fast".
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That is your use case. For my corporate IT policy, we require an 8-character (not just 8 digit PIN). This is effectively typing a complex password every time I need to unlock my device. The fingerprint scanner alleviates this pain and it has worked almost flawlessly on the S5 for me, let alone the Note 4...
If using the PIN or pattern works for you, you can ignore the fingerprint scanner then. Just another useless Samsung gimmick, right?
If you can make a video where you at least 10 times in a row unlock the phone, while holding it comfortably in one hand, I'll believe you.
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Oh, even I could do that. That doesnt prove much though, just confirms that it works 10 times in a row. Doesnt take in to account a bumpy busride, or when youre in a hurry, or if it rained ever, or if youre nervous, etc.
I saw a video a while ago explaining why people with an S5 had so much trouble using the fingerprint sensor: part of it was under the screen and you had to swipe over a part of the screen too. Just like in the video you posted.
I for instance am able to unlock my note 4 by only touching the home button with my index finger. This proves the fingerprint sensor is completely in the home button. And also why there are no dots on the lower part of the screen indicating you should swipe on them like that tab S and S5
The fingerprint scanner on the Nokia 9 is terrible! Seems to only read it 20% of the time. I use face unlock sometimes which is nice but I can't always hold phone up to face. Tempted to just use smart lock with my android wear watch but there goes my security. May end up trying to add fingerprints again for a 3rd time...
Mine almost always works, but I have to apply some pressure to it. It's not like most other in-display readers that work with just resting your finger on the screen.
I have each thumb trained twice on it.
It fails completely with a glass screen protector (at least for me).
Worst scanner. Works 50 percent or less and with multiple scans of same fingerprint. Utterly useless.Ar least the Galaxy S10 plus was fixed with updates and my success rate is 90% + on that phone.
Sent from my Nokia 9 using Tapatalk
It's a painful fingerprint scanner, but I've found a way to make it reliable. Not necessarily convenient, but reliable..
Before scanning, I lick my thumb of index finger lightly, then run them together leaving them just slightly damp (just enough so they don't slide smoothly across the phone screen), then touch firmly, but certainly not hard, on the sensor patch.
Works almost first time every time. I also used this same method when training the prints.
stiebs said:
It's a painful fingerprint scanner, but I've found a way to make it reliable. Not necessarily convenient, but reliable..
Before scanning, I lick my thumb of index finger lightly, then run them together leaving them just slightly damp (just enough so they don't slide smoothly across the phone screen), then touch firmly, but certainly not hard, on the sensor patch.
Works almost first time every time. I also used this same method when training the prints.
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Click to collapse
Do you know where that thumb has been since the last time you licked it??? :silly: :silly: :laugh: :laugh:
I received my phone yesterday. My fingerprint scanner seems to work just fine. There are a couple times where it did take a couple tries, but it's been nothing like I've been reading. I'm perfectly content with it. I'll also add that it's been working just as well for me with a plastic screen protector on it.
You guys never had a xiaomi mi 5s. If so, you would not complain about fingerprint scanner ?
I've had about a 75% success rate with the fingerprint scanner. I set it up in a dark room and registered both thumbs and index fingers. There are times when it won't read my fingerprint at all, which seems to be software related. Other times, it will say not recognized. In those cases, I've tried to place my hand over my phone as if I'm covering my PIN at the ATM, creating a bit of a shadow or darkness over the fingerprint area of the screen and then trying it, which seems to work a lot more often. Covering it with the other hand might be a fluke, but I am able to repeat the results again and again.
Edit: I deleted my post, because it was not repeatable. Whatever the software issue is, its too intermittent to isolate through physical means alone. Someone with programming knowledge though should be able to see what might be causing the problem and provide some insight on a workaround until then.
Right now for me, it seems to work when its being charged and battery saver seems to affect its success rate.
for me it depends on the situation, sometimes it doesn't work at all. Things like temp etc seems to be influencing the succes rate. my xz3 has a reader at the back and it doesn't work sometimes as well. they are equal in reliability. But if you are used to a Huawei (like the mate 9) it is terrible. I really had to adjust when I got the XZ3 (coming from a mate 9).
I received mine this morning and it performed a system update out of the box.
I put a glass screen protector on the phone straight away and I've had some success with using the fingerprint reader, although not so much that I would like to use it all the time.
These are my observations so far,
- The 'press harder' message is deceptive. I have never got it to work by pressing harder when it tells me to press harder in a spot where my thumb/finger already is. Instead if I use that as a cue to re-position my thumb/finger then I have much more success. When it works, I have never had to press hard at all.
- It doesn't like my thumb very much. It takes some time to find the right position with my thumb, where as my forefinger is fine.
Update: 16:14
I've been persisting with it and have found the right amount of pressure to make it work more consistently. The message on the screen says press a little harder, and pressing it to the point where it flattens your skin out against the screen makes the chance of success better.
Moseman, i did everything you did, unfortunately its a software issue. You are right about the 'press harder' message, its not true. You don't need to press hard at all to get it to work, which i have been able to test successfully. The issue is not about pressure, its about placement. You must place your finger in the exact position that you placed it when you did the first half of the enrollment. Interestingly, i've noticed that apps that use the finger print reader as part of their login, seem to work much better. Such as ADP app or Bank apps.
You will notice that it probably works better while on charger, and works terrible with battery saver on. I tried many ways to find a workaround to get it to work consistently, but eventually it goes back to working 10% of the time. I believe they will create a fix here soon.
I've heard the face scanner login works much better. GL!
I got a good working scan by holding the phone in landscape mode while learning the scan. Might be coincidence , but i figured since the scanner is the shape of a flat rectangle it might cover more of my finger that way. (in normal use i just unlock in portrait mode, i just did the landscape thing to learn the fingerprint)
Interesting. I will try your method and see what i get. Will post an update later. Thanks Bk227865.
*Update: The method does appear to be working somewhat better. I will have to keep testing. Thanks.
*Update2: I don't know why im obsessed with getting this working. But BK you gave me an idea.
So after trying your method, i wondered if enrollment was the issue. Perhaps i wasn't doing it right, and maybe someone else did do it right, so let me know if you did the following.
I deleted all enrollments and tried again, this time with battery saver off (just to rule anything out related to that). I also made sure that my finger placement was exactly as described in the training photo. Originally and before, i had placed the edge of my fingerprints to the edge of the scanner, but actually it wants you to place the middle part on the scanner.
So when i re-enrolled using the exact finger placement the picture showed, it didn't work 100% of the time, but i do get somewhat better overall success with different finger placements.
Anyone willing to test this out?
Sliksta said:
Interesting. I will try your method and see what i get. Will post an update later. Thanks Bk227865.
*Update: The method does appear to be working somewhat better. I will have to keep testing. Thanks.
*Update2: I don't know why im obsessed with getting this working. But BK you gave me an idea.
So after trying your method, i wondered if enrollment was the issue. Perhaps i wasn't doing it right, and maybe someone else did do it right, so let me know if you did the following.
I deleted all enrollments and tried again, this time with battery saver off (just to rule anything out related to that). I also made sure that my finger placement was exactly as described in the training photo. Originally and before, i had placed the edge of my fingerprints to the edge of the scanner, but actually it wants you to place the middle part on the scanner.
So when i re-enrolled using the exact finger placement the picture showed, it didn't work 100% of the time, but i do get somewhat better overall success with different finger placements.
Anyone willing to test this out?
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Click to collapse
I can vouch for this, great discovery, Sliksta! :good:
UPDATE:
After further experimenting, it seems like the results are only slightly better and this is not a permanent solution.
Wow. Really improved! Almost 8/10 now
The way I did it was placing my thumb in different angles from the beginning. Don't have a lot of troubles with it. Some times the light just doesn't switch on. Direct sunlight doesn't help its accuracy. Wet fingers doesn't help as well. But I would say mostly it works
Thanks all and Chaosdark for testing. I still believe that battery saver somehow effects the consistency of its accuracy. I would say it works more often than not with battery saver off. This might be the inconsistency you are experiencing. Can you/anyone confirm it works better w/ battery saver off?
Today I think I've found something interesting, if you go to verification option in the fingerprint section under security and touch the FP scanner to verify which fingerprint enrollment belongs to which finger, I have found that it detects and identifies the fingerprints enrolled easily and quickly and doesn't ask you to press harder as often as on lockscreen ( needs more testing from other users).
This results makes me hopeful that a software fix is possible and in the making according to Nokia CEO how vaguely suggested there will be a fix in an upcoming update.
What do you guys think?
stiebs said:
It's a painful fingerprint scanner, but I've found a way to make it reliable. Not necessarily convenient, but reliable..
Before scanning, I lick my thumb of index finger lightly, then run them together leaving them just slightly damp (just enough so they don't slide smoothly across the phone screen), then touch firmly, but certainly not hard, on the sensor patch.
Works almost first time every time. I also used this same method when training the prints.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This works 100% without pressing harder
Incredible
Not sure if this is the right area, but I've been having trouble getting the fingerprint sensor to work for some apps - it works fine when waking the phone, but when I try to set it up for a credit card or banking app, it doesn't recognize the print and the app crashes. The apps & fingerprint access worked fine on my last phone (MI Mix 2). But it worked on a password manager app I'm using. Any thoughts out there?
I have the same problem
Same here. Coincidentally i also had a Mix Mix before. In my case Mi Mix 1. I think it might have to do with it being an on screen sensor.
no99sqrd said:
Not sure if this is the right area, but I've been having trouble getting the fingerprint sensor to work for some apps - it works fine when waking the phone, but when I try to set it up for a credit card or banking app, it doesn't recognize the print and the app crashes. The apps & fingerprint access worked fine on my last phone (MI Mix 2). But it worked on a password manager app I'm using. Any thoughts out there?
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I contacted Blu about it and they told me to clear the cache - no go.
They basically told me that they tried a bunch of apps and it worked for them. Really don't believe it, pretty sure it's a software issue that they may or may not be working on.
no99sqrd said:
I contacted Blu about it and they told me to clear the cache - no go.
They basically told me that they tried a bunch of apps and it worked for them. Really don't believe it, pretty sure it's a software issue that they may or may not be working on.
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Someone who has bought and reviewed this BOLD-N1, have also complained about same problems, that you have mentioned, with the In-Screen Fingerprint Scanner:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07VHXT1R3
"If you do not need a finger print reader. One amazing buy.
1. Amazing Screen
2. Nice clean design with little branding.
3. Tons of features
4. Fits nicely in hand.
5. Case in the box is actually useful
6. No TMobile USA Wifi calling. But, gets service where my old phone had to jump to Wifi.
7. VoLTE support on TMobile USA (need to turn on in settings)
8. Battery easily lasts a day with reserves in the tank
9. Duo SIMcard is fantastic for me
10. Camera is fine for a $200 phone.
11. I like the hidden camera because I do not take selfies... so hate having a notch for no reason.
12. Works with the Samsung version GameVice TypeC controller.
The finger print reader is my only problem
Works to unlock the phone just fine but CHASE, CitiBank, CapitalOne all would not work or work randomly. CITI finally let me set it up but then would not let me back in. No go for Venmo either. My work password manager app would not even react to the press. It just waited as if nothing was happening.
If the finger print reader was at a better place (even with the no WiFi calling support) this would be a 5/5. Maybe they fix it with a patch. Contacted Blue customer support days ago and no response. Never a good sign..."
Another annoying issue is, the screen goes to 100% brightness when the fingerprint "target" pops up and there's no way to change it back without locking the phone and opening it back up. This is definitely a software issue that needs fixed.
I had a fingerprint matching problem initially, but I think I found a fix and now it works first time, every time for unlock, Chase, AMEX, etc.
When you record your thumbprint press down firmly on the sensor. Then also press firmly when you are trying to use your thumb print to sign in.
My theory is that when you press your thumb it flattens out and becomes bigger (in fact, I was able to create a second thumbprint this way, though it took some time). However, your thumb only flattens out to a point and then it doesn't change anymore. This way it will give you consistent scans.
I think if you record your thumbprint by lightly pressing the sensor, the only way you will get a match will be by pressing with the same amount of light pressure (which can be difficult). Hence it works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't.
Give it a try and report back.
UPDATE: I just tried creating a new fingerprint and I when I recorded it, I would record a light press and a firm press for each spot. I kept moving my finger with multiply pressures until it scanned my entire finger. I am getting 100% match everytime now.
jjsaustin said:
I had a fingerprint matching problem initially, but I think I found a fix and now it works first time, every time for unlock, Chase, AMEX, etc.
When you record your thumbprint press down firmly on the sensor. Then also press firmly when you are trying to use your thumb print to sign in.
My theory is that when you press your thumb it flattens out and becomes bigger (in fact, I was able to create a second thumbprint this way, though it took some time). However, your thumb only flattens out to a point and then it doesn't change anymore. This way it will give you consistent scans.
I think if you record your thumbprint by lightly pressing the sensor, the only way you will get a match will be by pressing with the same amount of light pressure (which can be difficult). Hence it works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't.
Give it a try and report back.
UPDATE: I just tried creating a new fingerprint and I when I recorded it, I would record a light press and a firm press for each spot. I kept moving my finger with multiply pressures until it scanned my entire finger. I am getting 100% match everytime now.
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Tried a couple (Cap One, Chase, etc.) and all I get is a force closure on the app as soon as I try to set the fingerprint access up.
I haven't used the Capital one app, but I do used the Chase app all the time and it works for me.
Same problem for me... force close on Wawa, WalMart, Cap One bank... useless.
On my Mi 9T Pro, face unlocking has been very problematic, as I found out that my brother can also unlock my phone. This obviously does not speak to the face unlock's security, as I do not even look that alike to him. When I tried re-adding my face several times it continued to have the same problem, even when I went outside in the bright light to set it up, my brother could still unlock it. I have since disabled it as this likely means it is unlock-able to anyone with a similar face or even a piece of paper.
This is the case with all camera based face unlocking.
Not really, have tried the same with galaxy s8 camera face unlocking, and it doesn't have this issue. I don't think this should have been put in this phone if it as insecure as it seems.
blackalice said:
This is the case with all camera based face unlocking.
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Well there are some differences. Here and many phones are only using a cheap 2d image recognition method, which i would say is mostly only an unsecure gimmick.
additional security would use 2 cameras for a 3d face recognition. Still not as good as a fingerprint lock, but already pretty robust.
with an extra infrared projector it is also possible to recognize faces in the dark or in too bright places for regular camera images.
Here is a more indepth explanation
https://www.androidauthority.com/facial-recognition-technology-explained-800421/
Love having a finger print reader on the phone but do miss the face unlock in certain situations like if the phone is in the car cradle or sitting on my desk. Any way to add it? Not sure why we don't have it. Used a oneplus 8 for 2 weeks and it used the front camera to unlock the phone.
IIRC, OnePlus added face unlock to the OP3/3T through an update without any special sensors so maybe it is possible, but it might not be the most secure form of unlocking.
While a lot of people seem to like it, it's an awful form of security.. Maybe that's why they've decided to not use it, I know I wouldn't.
Iris sensor FTW