Rumor: Galaxy S5 to have fingerprint scanner embedded in the display's corners?

We’re edging closer and closer to the official unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S5, and the speculation keeps on coming. The latest rumor has reiterated beliefs that the Galaxy S5 will feature a fingerprint scanner, and that the device will depart from Samsung’s traditional physical home button hardware. This rumor comes courtesy of an “industry source”, although frankly that could mean anything.

According to the rumor, the Galaxy S5 will allow users to scan their fingerprints at the bottom left and right sides of the smartphone’s screen. Although previous reports have hinted at the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner, this is the first time we’ve heard about a scanner concealed in the handset’s corners. The phone will also supposedly eliminate the home button hardware featured on the previous Galaxy models, instead opting for onscreen options.

Speaking of screens, the latest rumor also includes news that Samsung’s latest smartphone will still work whilst the user is wearing gloves.

“Scanning fingerprints on the entire screen, which was much talked about recently, will be available in the latter half of this year as there are still technological hurdles to overcome,”

There’s also a new rumor flying around that the Galaxy S5 will be completely bezel-less. The source claims that Samsung will be making use of a new display technology which does away with the old four layered indium tin oxide touch panel. Instead, Samsung is opting for a new single layered panel that offers up greater display transparency. I can’t help but wonder how durable such a display would be?

We haven’t heard anything about a completely new display type for the Galaxy S5 before, and despite the ongoing work into stronger, flexible technologies, it seems unlikely that such a display is ready for mass production at the size required for the Galaxy S5.