Google’s Pixel 11 Series Gets More Accurate Face Unlock in Low Light

Google has developed the Face Unlock feature for its Pixel 11 series to work better in low-light conditions, with improved recognition speed, accuracy, and security compared to the Pixel 10 series.

Google quietly mentions this update on the pages of the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold phones, explaining that the face unlock feature has become “faster, more secure, and more accurate in low light.”

This improvement is part of a set of security features showcased by the company, including the Titan M3 chip, an integrated VPN network, a call screening feature, fraud detection, and satellite emergency services.

The Pixel Safe page also explains that the new feature helps the phone recognize users more easily in dark places, ensuring that only the owner can access their private information.

Google had previously reintroduced Face Unlock to its Pixel phones with the Pixel 7 after abandoning it after the Pixel 4. The following year, the company improved the feature to support phone payments and app logins, including banking apps.

At that time, Google attributed these capabilities to the Tensor G3 processor and advanced machine learning algorithms but did not reveal specific technical details about how the system works. It appears that the Pixel 11 series is now getting a similar improvement that enhances face recognition efficiency in challenging lighting conditions.

This development will address one of the most prominent limitations of Google’s reliance on the camera only for Face Unlock, but achieving a level comparable to Face ID on iPhone likely requires specialized hardware, especially since Apple's system relies on technologies that work under various lighting conditions.

Previous reports had indicated that Google was working on an infrared-based Face Unlock system, which was expected to be available with the Pixel 11. However, leaks several months ago suggested that the company would not be able to provide it in time for launch.

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Topic: Pixel 11 Series Gets More Accurate Face Unlock in Low Light Appears on TechCrunch.