Pantech launches Fingerprint-Recognition phone

Pantech said Monday it has begun selling the world's first fingerprint-recognition smartphone Vega LTE Advanced (LTE-A).

The phone has a 5.6-inch high-definition screen, the biggest in the field. Pantech claims the battery packs 20 percent more juice than existing LTE-A handsets and offers double the connection speed of LTE smartphones at no extra cost, according to theb Chosunilbo.

It has an invisible sensor at the back that can recognize the owner's fingerprint, so it can be locked or unlocked simply by touch. If the user's fingerprint does not match the owner's, the handset can be set to hide certain apps from the main screen. The function can hide up to 60 apps and is designed to "protect the privacy of the owner," according to Pantech.

Users can flip screens, execute programs, take photos, receive phone calls and adjust the volume simply by touching the fingerprint sensor.

The Vega LTE-A comes with a price tag of W878,900 (US$1=W1,116) and is available only to SK Telecom subscribers.