The Galaxy Note 7 has been on the market since Friday and has already made a splash among Samsung fans. One new feature on the smartphone is the iris scanner, which allows users to unlock or authenticate their device by looking into an iris scanning sensor at the top of the phone.
When executed properly, the Galaxy Note 7 iris scanning feature is so fast that sometimes the scanning frame set up on the device’s screen won’t even show up before the device unlocks. However, there are other times that using the feature can be tricky. It make take a user longer to authenticate their iris or the Galaxy Note 7 handset may notify the user that their iris could not be authenticated.
Here are some situations under which the Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner may not work.
Too Far, Close, Low Or High
Samsung recommends users hold their Galaxy Note 7 10 to 14-inches away from their face in a slanted orientation for optimal iris scanning. If users do not hold their Galaxy Note 7 handset properly, the sensor may be unable to read their iris. Holding a handset too far or close, high or low will prompt a notification telling the users to readjust their Galaxy Note 7 position for proper scanning.
Dirty Lens
Similar to any other visual sensor on a smartphone, the Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner may be hindered if the iris sensor is dirty. The handset will prompt a notification that tells users to make sure the sensor is clean and unobstructed before use. A quick wipe with a cloth (or shirt corner) should do the trick.
Eyes Not Fully Open
The Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner needs to be able to see a user’s irises in order to scan them. So if a user is squinting or looking downward, the handset will prompt a notification that tells them to open their eyes wider.
Walking Or Fast Movement
It may be obvious that a user moving the Galaxy Note 7 around in front of their face won’t get an accurate reading. But walking quickly while trying to authenticate may also make it hard for the iris scanner to authenticate.
Users may not be able to set the Galaxy Note 7 handset in front of their eyes for a proper reading while moving. If the device is unable to read, the iris scanner will time out and the handset will prompt users to input their alternate security code. It may be a password, pattern or PIN (no, you cannot set up your fingerprint as an authentication or security measure for the same function). However, users can set up both biometrics and use them for different reasons on the Galaxy Note 7.
Dim Lighting
Dim lighting may be an issue for the Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner failing to work, especially if one sensor is hindered by one of the aforementioned reasons. The x-ray-like camera image in a dark room may cause users to squint their eyes, for example, making their irises harder to read.
Not Aligned With The Scanning Frame
A user’s eyes do not need to be perfectly aligned in the scanning frame, but if they are too far off, the scanner may not authenticate. The Galaxy Note 7 handset should be forward in the user's’ field of view so the scanner can easily find their eyes.
