On the other hand, Samsun doesn't create the touch layer on top of their screen, so that doesn't necessarily follow that Apple can't do it. In fact, the touch sensor on their laptops is giving them lots of practice. And their front-side touch sensor on their phones is glass, and there are no problems with that kind of thing happening.
Secondly, there is no way Apple will place a fingerprint sensor on the ergonomically dead-end on back. Zero chance.
Samsung's biggest problem was Microsoft's back in the past two decades. Vapor is the word. Look it up. They over promise and under-deliver on a regular basis. Apple rarely does the same. And that's why they sometimes appear to be behind. They're not. They're just waiting for the right time, considering user experience more important that being like the proverbial forum poster who gets on and types "First!" in the comment section. We don't respect them, why should we respect the technological equivalent?