Japanese phone scans owner's eye to unlock screen

It may be time to say goodbye to using passwords to access your smartphones.

The latest iris-scanning technology can look into the user's eyes to unlock a new smartphone by Fujitsu.

The Arrows NX F-04G from the Japanese technology company uses an infrared LED and a special camera to snap a picture of the iris of a person's eye, reported The Guardian.

The phone recognises the hidden unique pattern of the iris, which is set after about the age of two and is difficult to forge.

The iris is protected and does not suffer from wear and tear unlike fingerprints.

Multiple biometric technologies, which use parts of the body that are unique to the individual, are vying to replace the username and password.

Chinese smartphone manufacturer ZTE launched a phone with the technology earlier this year, while Samsung recently filed patents for iris recognition.