Over the course of any given year, I have the benefit of using a lot of smartphones.[1] Most of the time, my memories of using a particular phone blurs into one black, rectangular blob of glass and metal.
Also: Phones and more: The best of everything mobile in 2018[2]
But sometimes there are features that stand out. As I reflect back[3] on the year and look forward to 2019, it's clear to me there are five features I would love to see come to every smartphone in the near future.
In-display fingerprint reader
After using the OnePlus 6T's fingerprint reader[4], it's evident having a physical location, commonly on the back of a phone, is no longer the best option for smartphone makers.
Also: In-screen fingerprint sensors coming to 100 million phones[5] CNET
Using a series of sensors and lights, the OnePlus 6T's fingerprint sensor is located just below the display and is capable of reading a fingerprint through the display.
The benefit I appreciate the most about a fingerprint sensor under the display is that I'm already touching and interacting with the screen when I need to unlock the phone, so it eliminates the extra step of finding the sensor on the back of the phone -- as routine as that has become.
With the OnePlus 6T, I pick up the phone, wake the screen, leaving my finger on the display, and continue using the phone.
I think I like this unlock method as much as I like Face ID, if not a little bit more.