Over the last few years we have seen how smartphone manufacturers have minimized the edges of their devices. Betting is on the inclusion of increasingly larger screens. This trend forced us to eliminate some sensors and components that we found at the top of the device, leaving room only for the front camera.

Many mobile phones use the front camera in addition to taking photos. face unlock system. This is the case of Google Pixel, which has been using the front camera for some time now to allow the user to unlock the mobile phone without having to use their fingerprint. The problem is that this system is not as secure as the iPhone.

Pixel 11 facial recognition would be much more secure

From what we can read in an article published by Android Authority, everything seems to indicate that Google may salvage one of the Pixel 4’s components. Increase the security of your facial recognition system. We’re talking about the infrared camera, a technology the company included at the time and never used again.

If we analyze the use of facial recognition technology in Google Pixels, the company introduced this function in Pixel 4. The device had an infrared camera used by the facial recognition system, but both Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 only had a fingerprint unlocking feature.

Google brought back facial recognition with a different approach with the launch of Pixel 7. Instead of using the infrared system, the company decided to use the regular mobile camera and therefore we faced the following situation: A much less secure system. It also has other weaknesses: It doesn’t work in the dark or in low light conditions.

According to the latest leaks, Google is considering the possibility of saving the Pixel 4’s infrared camera with the arrival of the future Pixel 11, which is expected to be released in 2026. According to internal documentation they had access to from Android Authority, G6 tensioner It will be compatible with this system, which will bring the facial recognition system closer to Apple’s approach.

Of course, it is worth noting that We are dealing with information that has not been officially verified. by the company. Just because a chip supports a particular feature doesn’t guarantee the company will use it, but everything seems to indicate that Google is considering using the infrared camera to improve the security of its facial recognition system. We’ll have to wait to confirm.

via | Android Authority

Cover image | Pepu Ricca (Xataka Android)

Xataka on Android | The security of your Android mobile phone is in your hands: Two tips to protect your unlocking pattern