Will there be an under-display Face ID camera on Google Pixel smartphones?
Face ID biometrics is nothing new to Google Pixel smartphone users. In fact, ever since the Google Pixel 7 came out, the standard camera has been employed to perform this task. This is neither the most secure nor, as Pixel users will tell you unfortunately, the most accurate solution for such biometric authentication. But according to one well-known leaker of Pixel secrets, Google could go back to the future and produce a Face ID camera that’s much better and, dare I say it, similar to the iPhone. Here’s what we know so far:
Google Pixel could beat iPhone as far as Face ID is concerned
Kamila Wojciechowska is known for giving accurate surprises when it comes to the Google Pixel series of smartphones, and this could be one of the biggest leaks to date. In an article for Android Authority, the super leaker examined leaked documents from Google’s chip division regarding the Tensor G6 chip image signal processor. It may sound boring, but stick with me until the end. Because this is very important. This leak confirms support for an under-display IR camera. What this means is that when it comes to facial biometrics, the Google Pixel 11 could match, and perhaps even surpass, the latest iPhone released that year.
Rumor has it that the iPhone series will feature an under-display Face ID camera as early as 2026, with Google taking Apple’s top-of-the-line products up a notch with a notchless facial biometric system that works similarly to current iPhone implementations. There is a possibility that If this is accurate, it’s big news, as Face ID on iPhone is the standard-setter for ease of use, reliability, and facial recognition in even the darkest of rooms. Doing away with the currently required notch would put Google Pixel in the big leagues, at least in this area of smartphone security.
Google Pixel is back to the future
We don’t often look back at much older smartphones and conclude that they had better technology. However, that may be the case with the 2019 Google Pixel 4. The device was equipped with a twin infrared camera setup for facial biometric authentication, allowing it to work effectively even in the dark. Wojciechowska said a leaked Google document hints at a new front end for the Google Pixel 11’s image signal processor, which is designed specifically with facial recognition in mind. “This chip allows such systems to improve processing and consume much less power,” Wojciechowska said.
Of course, this is still in the feature details leak stage, so there’s no guarantee that Pixel 11 users will benefit from this feature in 2026. I asked Google for a statement. However, one thing is for sure: the Google Pixel series takes after Apple’s iPhone and iOS platforms when it comes to security, and that’s a good thing for everyone, dear reader.
