A man holding the Pixel 10 in his hand. | Image by PhoneArena
Whether it be the camera performance, security, or the overall software experience, both iPhone and Pixel smartphones give tough competition to each other in almost all the departments. However, the speed and accuracy that Apple's Face ID offers are unmatchable, and it's one area where Pixels are way behind iPhones. Fortunately, that might be changing soon, as Google is reportedly working on a new advanced face unlock system.
Project Toscana
If you own both an iPhone and a Pixel, you must have noticed that the iPhone's Face ID works absolutely flawlessly even in low lighting conditions, but the same can't be said about Pixel phones. Sometimes it takes forever to recognize your face, other times it doesn't work at all.
This mainly occurs because, in comparison to an iPhone that uses an infrared projector and an infrared camera to scan your face in 3D, Pixel phones rely on the selfie camera for 2D facial-based recognition. Since there isn't enough light for the selfie camera to see the face in a dark environment, the face unlock feature in Pixel phones struggles in these situations.
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A new report suggests that Google is finally looking to address this shortcoming. The tech giant is reportedly working on a new technology, codenamed Project Toscana, intending to improve the face unlock feature on Pixels and Chromebooks.
What's interesting is that the source that shared this information claims to have tested this upgrade on a Pixel phone with a single hole-punch camera cutout. This indicates that the addition of this upgrade won't add any visible sensors to the screen. Most likely, it will also rely on infrared like that used in iPhones, and it will be hidden under the display.
The source further claims that Project Toscana is similar to Apple's Face ID in terms of speed and works in any lighting condition. Speed is definitely not the highlight here, as face unlock on Pixel phones is already quick enough when used in good lighting conditions. The mention that the upgrade works in different lighting conditions is something you should look forward to, as it suggests that you would be able to unlock your phone quickly through your face even in dark conditions.
Not something new for Google
Cameras and sensors of Pixel 4. | Image by Google
In 2019, Google introduced the Pixel 4, which offered a similar face unlock experience to Apple's Face ID. The phone relied on infrared cameras and dot projectors for facial biometric authentication. However, this entire infrastructure was removed from the Pixel 5 in favor of a fingerprint scanner.
Soniya Jobanputra, who was a product manager on the Pixel team at the time, said that this step was taken to add more premium features to the Pixel 5. It was also believed at the time that fingerprint unlock was more secure than face unlock.
Facial authentication was later added back in the Pixel 7 series phones. However, this time it didn't have infrared technology. Instead, it relied on the front camera to recognize the face.
As a Pixel 10 owner, I admit that its facial recognition feature really struggles in dark conditions. I often have to increase the screen brightness or move to a brighter area for the Pixel to recognize my face. There are also times when it struggles so much that I eventually give up and use a pattern or fingerprint to unlock the device.
Unfortunately, this isn't a problem that's limited to Pixel phones. Facial biometric authentication doesn't work as quickly and accurately on any Android smartphone as it does on Apple devices. The reason behind this, as I mentioned above, is the lack of infrared technology in Android devices.
Fortunately, the previous rumor of an under-display camera in the Pixel 11 lineup and now the latest news of Project Toscana give a strong indication that facial recognition in Pixel phones and other Android devices could soon get better. There's a possibility that more details about this upcoming change will be shared at the upcoming Google I/O, which is scheduled for May 19-20.
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Aman Kumar is a tech news writer with a long-standing passion for smartphones. Aman specializes in everything smartphones, from AI features like Pixel’s Camera Coach to understanding ideal hardware combinations. He loves breaking down complex features in a simple, clear way and hopes manufacturers bring back bold designs like the Nokia N-Gage. When he’s not writing, he’s either gaming on PUBG or talking fitness as a dedicated gym enthusiast.
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