I miss my Pixel 1, which had a fingerprint reader on the back that I could easily touch with my index finger, and which was able to respond to up- and down-swipe gestures. For example, to open or close the notification shade.
The fingerprint reader sat right in the middle of the back horizontally, and maybe one third from the top. Right where your index finger naturally rests if you grip it with your thumb on one side and fingers 3–5 on the other.
I think capacitive ones were too good tbh. Kept accidentally unlocking my phone in my pocket. I've assigned the screen one to my thumb, with always on display on, unlocking feels natural. I also find it works better with wet hands, which capacitive was absolutely hopeless at.
I'm on pixel 6 btw, which apparently had a bad reputation as well
Honestly, I'll take having to try a few times until it works than being blasted by maximum brightness if I dare touch the phone wrong when waking up in the middle of the night.