Is an under-display Face ID camera coming to Google Pixel phones?
Face ID biometrics are not a new thing for users of the Google Pixel smartphone. Indeed, the standard camera has been employed to perform this task since the Google Pixel 7 hit the streets. This is neither the most secure solution for such biometric authentication, nor is it the most accurate as Pixel users will unhappily tell you. However, according to one renowned leaker of Pixel secrets, Google could be going back to the future and bringing a much better and, dare I say, iPhone-like Face ID camera to the range. Here’s what we know so far.
The Google Pixel Could Beat The iPhone As Far As Face-ID Is Concerned
Kamila Wojciechowska is known for dropping accurate surprises as far as the Google Pixel range of smartphones is concerned, and this could be one of the biggest leaks yet. In an article for Android Authority, the super-leaker has studied leaked documents from Google’s chip division concerning the Tensor G6 chip image signal processor. While this might sound boring, stick with me, because, actually it’s hugely important: the leak confirms support for an under-display IR camera. What this means is that the Google Pixel 11 could match, and quite possibly beat, the latest iPhone release that year when it comes to facial biometric authentication.
With the iPhone range rumored to be getting an under-display Face ID camera no sooner than 2026, Google could upstage Apple’s finest with a notchless facial biometrics system that works as well as the current iPhone implementation. This is big news, if accurate, as iPhone’s Face ID is the standard-setter as far as easy to use, reliable, even in the darkest of rooms, facial recognition is concerned. Getting rid of the notch that is currently required would move Google Pixel into the big league in this area of smartphone security at least.
Google Pixel Goes Back To The Future
It’s not often that we would look back to a much older iteration of a smartphone and conclude that it had the better technology. However, that could be the case when it comes to the Google Pixel 4 from 2019. This device featured a twin infrared camera setup for facial biometrics that enabled it to perform effectively in the dark. The leaked Google documents, Wojciechowska said, suggest a new front-end to the image signal processor for the Google Pixel 11, which has been designed specifically with facial authentication in mind. “The chip will allow both better and much less power-hungry handling of such systems,” Wojciechowska said.
Of course, this is still in the leak stage of feature details, so there is no guarantee that Pixel 11 users will benefit from the functionality in 2026. I have approached Google for a statement. However, one thing is for sure: the Google Pixel range is taking on Apple’s iPhone and iOS platform when it comes to security, and that, dear reader, is a good thing for everyone.