Most Android smartphones lack a dedicated infrared sensor that enables true 3D facial recognition. OEMs still rely on the standard selfie camera. This means that face unlock works well in daylight but often struggles or does not work in dim or dark environments.
Apple’s iPhones are the only phones in the market that offer this tech. Google tried it with the Pixel 4 series but dropped it from future devices. Now, the Mountain View-based tech giant is rumoured to be developing infrared camera for face unlocking.
Google tipped to reintroduce IR face authentication
The folks at Android Authority citing an anonymous source report that Google is working on a technology internally codenamed Project Toscana. The company aims to revive advanced facial authentication system for its Android phones and also Chromebooks.
The report states that the company invited UX testers for the project. A Pixel phone was used with a single punch-hole camera cutout and on two Chromebooks with external cameras.
It’s unclear if the testing unit had an infrared sensor or if it is housed beneath the display. The testing was said to be conducted in various lighting conditions and the tech worked as quickly as Apple’s Face ID on iPhones. Having an IR-based facial biometric authentication would be quite an upgrade compared to previous generation Pixels.
It can work securely and reliably in complete darkness instead of having to rely on the alternative fingerprint scanner.
The latest development is also in line with a previous report from the same source last October. At that time, it was mentioned that Google’s Tensor G6 chipset’s ISP which will reportedly power the Pixel 11 series will have support for under-display infrared face unlocking.
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It’s possible that Google could reveal more details at its annual I/O Developer conference in May.
Apple is also rumoured to be working on an under-display IR camera for Face ID. This is expected to debut on the iPhone 18 Pro models later this year.
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Viraj Gawde
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