HTC One M10 could feature wireless charging and an ultrasonic 3D fingerprint scanner

Before you get excited about rumored features for the HTC One M10, the information we are sharing is pure speculation on our part. We do not have any inside knowledge regarding what internal components HTC will be using in its 2016 flagship Android phone and we’re not even certain that it will be named the HTC One M10.

But let’s talk about what we do know. HTC has a reputation of introducing new technologies to the mobile space. HTC has never invented any of the innovative components that it uses in its phones, but the company is constantly looking for new ways to set its phones apart from the competition – competing on design and innovation rather than releasing me-too devices. HTC was responsible for the first WiMax phones, first LTE phones, front-facing stereo speakers, the first 1080p display and much more.

Based on HTC’s history, we suspect the company will be working very closely with Qualcomm on the development of the HTC One M10. Yes, we suspect the HTC One M10 will be powered by the latest and greatest SoC from Qualcomm, but the phone may also include two new Qualcomm innovations which have not yet made an appearance on any commercial devices – an ultrasonic 3D fingerprint scanner and wireless charging through a metal case.

Qualcomm’s Sense ID, introduced in early march, is significantly different than the current generation of capacitive fingerprint sensors found of phones like the Samsung Galaxy S6, iPhone 6 and HTC One M9 Plus. Instead of visually scanning your fingerprint, Sense ID uses ultrasonic sound ways to scan the outer layers of the skin, capturing detailed 3D details of your fingerprint. The technology is more accurate than capacitive scanners and offer increased security. Another benefit to Sense ID is that the ultrasonic sensor can scan through aluminum, plastic, sapphire and glass, allowing HTC to conceal it in the design of the phone by placing it below the screen or the metal body.

While HTC has used wireless charging in the past, the feature has been notably absent from the company’s flagship phones due to their metal unibody designs. Traditionally, wireless charging and metal phones simply did not work. That all changed when Qualcomm revealed today that new advancements in the WiPower standard (a Qi competitor) now allow for charging through metal.

There’s no guarantee that Sense IS or wireless WiPower charging will be included in the HTC One M10, but we’re sure that HTC is likely considering both features. While these specific technologies are new, implementing them wouldn’t give HTC a specific advantage over the competition since the competition has already been using variations of these technologies (capacitive fingerprint scanners and Qi wireless charging) for a while. Since HTC is determined to keep the One wrapped in metal, Qualcomm’s Sense ID and WiPower standard appear to be the only true options for HTC is the company wants to take the phone to the next level.