Samsung Galaxy S5 will launch in April - and it could come complete with IRIS scanning technology

  • S5 is expected to be unveiled during Mobile World Congress in February
  • It would then go on sale in Korea, before rolling out worldwide in April
  • Rumours suggest the flagship handset will be fitted with an iris scanner
  • The biometric feature would rival Apple’s iPhone 5S fingerprint scanner
  • The Galaxy Gear 2, the firms smartwatch, is also due to be unveiled at the same time as the S5

By Victoria Woollaston

PUBLISHED: 09:13 EST, 9 January 2014 | UPDATED: 10:01 EST, 9 January 2014

While Apple prefers to remain tight-lipped about upcoming product launches, Samsung’s executive vice president is much more open.

Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, Lee Young Hee announced that the firm is looking to release its next flagship phone between March and April - and it will be called the Galaxy S5.

Lee also discussed the possibility a future model of the phone could feature iris recognition technology, yet did not confirm if it would be added to S5 or not.

Samsung is set to release its next flagship phone - the Galaxy S5 - between March and April. The Korean firm also hinted that either the S5, or a future model, could be fitted with an iris scanner, stock photo of an iris is pictured, that would be used to unlock the device

Samsung is set to release its next flagship phone - the Galaxy S5 - between March and April. The Korean firm also hinted that either the S5, or a future model, could be fitted with an iris scanner, stock photo of an iris is pictured, that would be used to unlock the device

Rumours have suggested Samsung is working on a follow-up to its Galaxy Gear smartwatch since last year, too, and this could be unveiled at the same time as the S5.

 

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Lee told Bloomberg: We’ve been announcing our first flagship model in the first half of each year, around March and April, and we are still targeting for release around that time.

‘When we release our S5 device, you can also expect a Gear successor with more advanced functions, and the bulky design will also be improved.’

Lee is referring to the criticism the watch received when it went on sale in September last year.

Iris scanner

MYRIS SET TO REPLACE PASSWORDS FOR ALL YOUR DEVICES

Myris device from EyeLock

Biometric experts at New York-based firm EyeLock have created a dongle fitted with an iris scanner.

The Myris device can register up to five different users.

Each user begins by scanning their eyes to take an image of their respective irises. These unique images are then translated into an encrypted code. 

The scan takes between 10 and 20 seconds and the authentication code is created immediately.

Once registered, each user can add various online passwords to their Myris profile.

Next time the user visits one of these accounts, instead of entering a password, they can scan their eyes for immediate and secure access.

According to EyeLock, the False Acceptance Rate of the average fingerprint sensor, in which the system is hacked by an unknown print, is one in every 10,000 scans.  For iris scans, this increases to one 1 in 2.25 trillion scans.

Myris is set to go on sale before the summer and will cost around $250 (£150) although an exact date and price is yet to be announced.

EyeLock chart showing the chances of hacking different devices

Some analysts claimed the Korean firm had rushed the production of the gadget in order to beat Apple to releasing a smartwatch, and the design suffered.

However, Apple has still not announced its rumoured iWatch.

Regarding the iris recognition technology, Lee said during Samsung’s press event at the Consumer Electronics Show: ‘Many people are fanatical about iris recognition technology and we are studying the possibility but can’t really say whether we will have it or not on the S5.’

Samsung is said to be working on adding biometric technology to a future model to rival the popular fingerprint scanner on Apple’s iPhone 5S.

Samsung is said to be working on adding biometric technology to a future model in its Galaxy range of smartphones and tablets to rival the popular fingerprint scanner on Apple's iPhone 5S, pictured

Samsung is said to be working on adding biometric technology to a future model in its Galaxy range of smartphones and tablets to rival the popular fingerprint scanner on Apple's iPhone 5S, pictured

The iris scanner would not be the first time Samsung has used eye-tracking technology. Last year's Galaxy S4, pictured, includes a feature that locks onto the movement of a user's eyes. When a user looks away, the phone's screen goes into standby automatically

The iris scanner would not be the first time Samsung has used eye-tracking technology. Last year's Galaxy S4, pictured, includes a feature that locks onto the movement of a user's eyes. When a user looks away, the phone's screen goes into standby automatically

Samsung is also set to unveil a second-generation Galaxy Gear, original model is pictured, along with the S5 at Mobile World Congress in February

Samsung is also set to unveil a second-generation Galaxy Gear, original model is pictured, along with the S5 at Mobile World Congress in February

Iris scanning is more secure than fingerprint scanning, and the technology involved is cheaper, making it a more obvious choice to add to future models.

Iris scanning involves a simple charge-coupled device digital camera that uses visible and near-infrared light to take a clear, high-contrast image of a person’s iris.

When the camera takes the image, a scanner plots the centre of the pupil, edge of the pupil, edge of the iris, eyelids and eyelashes.

It then analyses the unique patterns in the iris and translates this pattern into a code.

Next time the eye is scanned, this code is compared to the pattern to authenticate a match.

The iris scanner would not be the first time Samsung has introduced eye-tracking technology.

Its Galaxy S4 includes a feature that locks onto the movement and position of a user’s eyes.

The phone can analyse where the user is looking and will automatically scroll a web page when the eyes reach the bottom of the screen, for example, or lock the screen when the user looks away.

Both of Samsung's new devices are expected to be unveiled during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. They will likely then go on sale in Korea in March, before being rolled out worldwide in April.

 

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How about just making a phone that works. My S4 has had issues since I bought it.

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More gimmicks that drain the battery life. The eye-tracking technology in the S4 doesn't work half of the time and the battery life is ok when all of that rubbish is disabled but I'm still charging it every day. It doesn't even last 3 days on standby so I'm more tempted to just buy a very old Nokia phone that would last me around 2 weeks on standby. Why not just use a passcode like the majority of people do. Your phone isn't like a vault for millionaires that require finger print identification etc.

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Oooooo now heres the problem I upgrade in april note 3 or s5 hmmmmmm

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do we really need this type of security? pointless really.

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Why?

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The new world order is coming to fruition , not by force but by apathy. I sincerely hope that you all get what you deserve .

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Next year phones will be able identify you from a spec of your own blood.

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But what if it goes behind your eyes and gets into your brain? Cant be good for you

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I hate this divide that people have created with labels, I own samsung products , which are great and love them! I own TVs and a washing machine and microwave which is samsung and they are reliable and reasonably priced, but I also have the iphone 5s which is also well designed but not as reasonably priced, samsung s4 is also a good phone, there is so much more going on in this world than phones, their are people who's homes are flooded and can go home . Please put things in perspective

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Dear Samsung, please make the products you've already launched work before announcing new ones. S4 (I bought one) is a complete pile of well, you know. Smart TV's are useless. Customer service is non existent. If you're in the UK they're hand in hand with PC World.....need I say more...steer clear. Would have my Apple iPhone 4 and Sony Bravia with an Apple TV back any day..... Gimmicks are gimmicks, quality is quality.....steer clear people....

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