Not all security features involve AIAFP via Getty ImagesWith so many new security features, regardless of device or platform, seemingly revolving around AI this or AI that, its refreshing to find something that can stand alone yet still be thought of as significant: say hello to Google Pixel 9 smartphone fingerprint scanning even when the display is off. Heres what you need to know.New Google Pixel 9 Biometric Update Makes Fingerprint Scanning Even QuickerIts hard to get excited about old-fashioned fingerprint scanning when facial recognition pretty much rules the roost when it comes to smartphone security and convenience rolled into one biometric feature. Yes, I appreciate its a contentious issue, but Im firmly on Team Face ID here. I do, however, still use fingerprint scanners on a bunch of Android-powered devices, and its far from a dead donkey in the biometric scanning stakes.Nor, for that matter, is there anything really old-fashioned about the biometrics that Google Pixel 9 smartphone users get access to: an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Again, while there is some argument to be had, most technical experts will agree that, from the Pixel 9 security perspective its more accurate than the older optical fingerprint sensor used on Pixel 8 devices. And, lets be honest, pretty much everyone can agree its a tad quicker as well. The latter point is relevant to the latest update news as Google dropped a second Android 16 developer preview on Dec. 18, which, thanks to the sharp-eyed Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority, we know now contained an impressive upgrade to the under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for Pixel 9 users.MORE FOR YOUActivating The New Google Fingerprint Scanner Feature For Pixel 9 UsersRahman was the first to spot that, unlike Pixel biometric implementations before it most of the time, the latest update didnt demand that your screen is active before using it. I discovered a new setting called Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock under Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Fingerprint Unlock, Rahman reported, Its description says that you can use Fingerprint Unlock even when the screen is off. Now, I admit, that doesnt sound anything revolutionary but, believe me, in real-world use a split-second delay can sometimes make all the difference when being bothered to activate fingerprint protections or not. Smartphone users are not, on the whole, a patient lot.As I have said many times before and will continue to do so, usability and security must go hand in hand. Anything that can help this, even if it is just something as seemingly minor as fingerprint scanning being a little bit quicker, a little bit less bothersome. This is a massive win as far as I am concerned. So, well done, Google; lets hope it doesnt take too long for this update to become a reality for all users.