Pixel phone users familiar with the limitations of facial unlocking on current Pixel 10 smartphones – its unreliability in darkness – may soon see a significant improvement. Google is reportedly developing a more robust face unlock feature for the Pixel 11, anticipated to launch in August.
The advancement centers around “Project Toscana,” a new facial recognition system designed for both Android smartphones and Chromebooks and potentially PCs running Aluminum OS, according to reports from Android Authority, citing sources familiar with the development. This system aims to address the shortcomings of the current Pixel face unlock, which struggles in low-light conditions.
Testing of the new technology, which may utilize infrared sensors, has reportedly yielded results comparable to Apple’s Face ID in various lighting scenarios. “Project Toscana” is said to unlock devices with similar speed and reliability, according to the report. Google has reportedly tested the technology on a Pixel smartphone using a single camera cutout and on two Chromebooks with external cameras, the latter featuring visible mainboards.
Google previously experimented with advanced facial recognition technology with the Pixel 4, which included a “Motion Sense Array” and infrared sensor, similar to Apple’s Face ID. Though, that system was discontinued with the Pixel 5, along with the radar-based gesture controls it enabled. The current Pixel 8 utilizes a simpler front-facing camera, enhanced with AI, for facial unlocking, which Google states is secure enough for authentication with banking apps when sufficient light is available. When darkness prevails, users must rely on the in-display fingerprint sensor as an alternative.
Apple has utilized Face ID with infrared sensors and other components since the iPhone X in 2017. (Image: Apple)
For comparison, Apple has employed its Face ID technology, consisting of multiple sensors, in its flagship iPhones since 2017. The system, housed within the notch or Dynamic Island, utilizes an infrared sensor to reliably unlock devices even in darkness, as Apple details on its website.
Google included a “Motion Sense Array” in the Pixel 4, similar to Apple’s Face ID. The next generation is expected to largely disappear under the screen. (Image: Google)
Google has reportedly been considering a return to advanced facial recognition technology since 2024. Given the company’s technological expertise, Android Authority speculates that an improved Face ID alternative could be integrated into the Pixel 11. The next generation of the Pixel line is expected in August of this year.
Given Google’s history of previewing technologies before their official product launches, the company may showcase these advancements at Google I/O, its annual developer conference scheduled for May 19th and 20th.
The potential inclusion of a more reliable and secure facial unlocking system would represent a significant upgrade for the Pixel line, bringing it closer to the capabilities offered by Apple’s Face ID and addressing a long-standing user request for improved low-light performance. The success of “Project Toscana” will likely hinge on Google’s ability to integrate the technology seamlessly into the Pixel 11’s design, potentially utilizing a single camera cutout for the front-facing sensors.
As development continues, the industry will be watching to see if Google can deliver on the promise of a truly competitive facial recognition experience on its Pixel devices.
