In terms of smartphones, this year would seem to gain more focus on improving the security suite, especially on the use of biometrics. Now, Motorola could be hinting an improved security feature on its upcoming Moto Z (2017) device after a new patent application suggests an included iris scanner on the handset.
With the fingerprint scanners becoming a common feature on many released smartphones, the iris scanning feature is yet to be included on the upcoming feature, although the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has already introduced this security suite. However, the Note 7 battery fiasco that brought the smartphone's immediate withdrawal on markets made the iris scanning function still vacant for testing.
The latest patent filing revealed by Motorola displays the smartphone's design, which includes a fingerprint sensor on the home panel, alongside the proposed iris scanner technology. According to Phone Arena, The patent furthers that Motorola's iris scanner sports a pair of narrow-angle lenses to focus on the user's eyes.
WCCFTech reported that the narrow angle lenses will scan both the eyes for a user. This added layer of security will then study the iris' unique characteristics as a mode of verification to access a smartphone.
For interested users, the iris scanner carries the same process of securing phones the same with a fingerprint scanner. The patent even reveals that the iris scanner technology will be hinged on two lenses.
Leaked sketches of the patent filing show that the Moto Z (2017) will offer a dedicated front-facing fingerprint button, alongside the iris scanner technology.
Specs-wise, the Moto (2017) smartphone will be powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 835 processor clocked at 1.9 GHz, coupled with 4GB RAM. According to a previous citing at the benchmarking website Geekbench, the handset bearing the model number, "Motorola XT1650," marked 1930 and 6207 in single-core and multi-score performance respectively. On the software front, the Moto (2017) phone is rumored to run the Android 7.1.1 Nougat firmware.
Previously, Motorola had stated that its Moto Mods will be compatible with second-generation of Moto Z devices. On the other hand, The Moto Z (2017) is reported to feature 16 magnetic pins at the back cover for the Moto Mods support.