According to GFXBench Database, the Motorola XT1032, also known as the Motorola Falcon, will be sporting a fingerprint scanner, as Google/Motorola join the race to scan our prints. The new iPhone 5s was the first device to include a widespread fingerprint scanner, although, it was actually the Motorola Atrix back in 2011 that had the first fingerprint scanner on a smartphone – not a very good one, but they made an attempt on the Atrix and then promptly abandoned them.
All of the manufacturers are working on some sort of fingerprint security, especially with so much at stake with mobile banking and “wallets” being developed, the added security of a fingerprint scanner could prevent a lot of fraud in this area. The HTC One Max is the first move forward for an Android device with a fingerprint scanner, although we have yet to have the device released in the U.S., other than it will be here for the holidays, so the verdict on just how well their scanner works is still in deliberation. Pantech Vega Note was also spotting a scanner. We also know that Samsung has been working on a scanner as well, but said the technology from their supplier is still a year away from a quality standpoint, although there are other rumors that they may skip a fingerprint scanner and go directly to an eye scanner.
The Motorola Falcon (XT1032) is a lot like the Moto X – no a real screamer when it comes to specifications. It looks like it will have a Snapdragon S4 MSM8226 quad-core processor, clocked at 1.2GHz, with an Adreno 305 GPU, and a 1196 X 720 resolution display. It is set to be the second device running Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box; another possible Google influence.
The processor is definitely for the lower-end markets and we expect it to arrive in the China market first, but may eventually find its way over to the European and U.S. markets. If Google and Motorola optimize the Falcon like they did the Moto X, it could still be smooth and quick device, especially since Google specifically designed Android 4.4 KitKat to work with as little as 512K RAM, making it ideal for lower-end phones.
Let us know in the comments and Google+ what you think about fingerprint scanners – do we need them and do you want one on your next phone.