Google considering introducing Pixel fingerprint gestures with Nexus 5X and 6P

Google is considering bringing the fingerprint gestures from the Pixel phones to the Nexus 5X and 6P. On Google’s Pixel phones, it’s possible to bring up the notification drawer by swiping down on the scanner. The 5X and 6P may also be able to do this.

Recently, there was a commotion on Reddit because the fingerprint scanner in the Nexus 5X, 6P and the Pixel phones was found to be the same in terms of hardware. All devices would have the OneTouch FPC1025 on board. Nevertheless, the feature to bring up the notification drawer via a downward swipe on the fingerprint scanner is available exclusively on the Pixel phones. In the eyes of the Reddit users, this is unfair.

Google later responded to Android Police: while hardware-wise the scanners are indeed the same, the firmware and the hardware abstraction layer are not the same. Not only would it cost Google work to bring the feature to the Nexus phones, but it’s not sure if they would be able to make this a decent working feature.

Nevertheless, Google seems to want to do something with the sounds from the community. The US company has now said it is “evaluating the possibility of porting the feature.” The company does not make a promise.

Another feature that turns out to be exclusive to the Pixel phones is Night Light. That is a f.lux-like blue light filter that is created with the Pixels using a new hardware composer interface. This requires driver support that the Nexus devices do not have. However, there are alternatives: such as CF.Lumen, which requires root, and Twilight.