Pixel's Face Unlock could match iPhone's Face ID if discovered code is legitimate

As a Pixel 6 Pro owner, one of the issues that set off a real-life drama was the lagging optical under-display fingerprint scanner on the phone. I had owned the Pixel 2 XL and the fingerprint scanner on the rear of that phone was outstanding.

Google cut corners with the Pixel 6 Pro

Let’s be honest here. Google really cut corners with the Pixel 6 Pro, saving money by using a pathetically underperforming modem that randomly disconnected users from their cell network.

The choices made by Google with the Pixel 6 Pro showed a tendency to put profit over pleasing people

For the Pixel 6 Pro, Google chose to go with the cheaper optical fingerprint scanner instead of using a faster and more accurate ultrasonic fingerprint sensor like Samsung did with that year’s Galaxy S21 Ultra. Google was once more displaying a penchant for choosing profits over people.

Finally, Google switched to using an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for the Pixel 9 series, but not before an interesting drama started involving the Pixel 6 Pro. In April 2022, word had leaked out that the Pixel 6 Pro was originally designed to be released with a Face Unlock facial recognition feature that Google killed just before launching the device.At this point, the rumor mill lit up with the idea that Google was going to fix the Pixel 6 Pro’s optical fingerprint sensor problem by pushing out a software update (during a Pixel Feature Drop) that would add Face Unlock to the Pixel 6 Pro.

The Sony image sensor driving the Pixel 6 Pro's front camera could create depth maps needed for secure facial recognition

The rumor called for Google to use the Sony IMX 663 sensor that was the component connected with the Pixel 6 Pro’s 11 MP front-facing camera. This sensor uses dual-pixel auto-focus (DPAF), which Google had employed since the Pixel 2 to create depth maps for Portrait mode with just one lens. Thus, there was hope that the Pixel 6 Pro would get a secure facial recognition option that could be used instead of the problematic fingerprint sensor.
Of course, this never happened and it had been a long shot from the get-go. But what brought this up was code discovered in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 by Android Authority. The code would unlock a feature that could help bring Pixel’s Face Unlock closer to the accuracy of the iPhone’s Face ID.

This feature, called "Face Active Illumination," is designed to help Face Unlock work in low-light conditions. The code found in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 appears to be tied to Face Active Illumination and includes an option allowing the user to control the brightness level.

Even more interesting, there are settings that allow the user to decide when this feature would be employed. The user could also decide how bright the illumination would be.The current version of Face Unlock is deemed secure enough to use it for financial transactions. However, it can’t always recognize you in a dark room. This is giving off April 2022 vibes and we will have to wait and see whether Google does the right thing this time.

The Pixel models that had a version of Face Unlock just as good as the iPhone's Face ID

The closest to Face ID Google ever got was with the version of Face Unlock that came with the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. It used infrared hardware and the Soli radar chip, which was also used to power the Motion Sense gesture feature.

Trade in your old phone for cash at ecoATM!

Recycle your used phone and get instant cash. Find out how at ecoATM!

Check at ecoATM