Evidence has come to light suggesting it’s possible that the Pixel 6 Pro might get a Face Unlock feature after previously being hinted at in Google documents. If this capability really is added, it would certainly help those that are having trouble with the under-display fingerprint sensor of the Pixel 6 series. Google definitely handles facial recognition well, since it categorizes faces in Google Photos, yet unlocking requires a higher degree of confidence than simply tagging a person in a picture.
While the iPhone includes Face ID in all of its flagship phones, this is still an uncommon authentication method for Android devices. The Pixel 4 did have the hardware and software for Face Unlock and the feature works well, yet it isn’t included in any Pixel phones released since then. With the scourge of COVID-19 causing face masks to become common practice, the feature wasn’t really missed on the Pixel 5, which has a fast and reliable rear fingerprint sensor.
Google’s Pixel 6 Pro might unexpectedly receive an option for Face Unlock similar to the Pixel 4, even though Google hasn’t mentioned any front-facing depth sensors built into its latest phone. This possibility has been raised before, having found evidence in the power allocation code that referenced Face Unlock. Now, new documentation in the Android 12L beta was discovered by 9to5Google, with several references made to using ‘face‘ as a biometric option instead of the usual ‘fingerprint.’ This seems to be specific to the Pixel 6 Pro since similar code about the Pixel 6 is lacking these options. Also, face authorization is marked as ‘experimental‘ and ‘2021‘, implying this is something currently being tested.
Why Don’t New Pixel Phones Have Face Unlock?
Google has shared the reason Face Unlock wasn’t included in the Pixel 5 and it was simply a cost issue. The plan was to make it a more affordable phone with other features considered more important. That makes complete sense for the Pixel 5, which was priced at $699. The current Pixel 6 costs just $599 and also lacks this advanced authentication method. The Pixel 6 Pro, however, sells for $300 more. At $899, it seems likely that should have been enough to budget for Face Unlock.
Perhaps, Google intended to launch the Pixel 6 Pro with Face Unlock despite its apparent absence of infrared depth sensors. Google uses its AI prowess to estimate depth for portrait photos and it might be that it’s simply a matter of needing more time to increase reliability and security. It’s impossible to know for certain without Google’s confirmation, but the code snippets that have been uncovered so far certainly suggest that Face Unlock for the Pixel 6 Pro is being looked at.
