Google confirms: No Face Unlock for older Pixel smartphones

Google recently unveiled its new smartphones. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro can be unlocked using face recognition. The group refutes speculation that the function could also be available on older Pixel devices.

On October 6th, Google officially presented the new Pixel smartphones. Both the standard and the Pro model can be unlocked by face recognition. Many users had already expected this function for the Google Pixel Pro 6.

Face recognition in the Pixel 6 Pro: Google rejected plans

Reported in April this year 9to5Googlethat the major corporation had already planned a Face Unlock for the Pixel 6 Pro. This should be available in addition to the integrated fingerprint sensor. Shortly before the publication, however, Google rejected these plans.

Since the hardware of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is very similar, it’s widely believed that face recognition should be solved at the software level. Users therefore hoped that Google would later submit the feature with an Android update.

Google: Face Unlock will not be rolled out on older Pixel devices

How now Caschy’s blog reported, Google Germany has rejected such rumors. Face Unlock will not be rolled out to older devices. Whether this decision is final or temporary is not clear from the statement.

Face Unlock: Pixel 7 Series not comparable to Apple’s Face ID

Google has not revealed to the technology portal which sensor data the new pixel smartphones use in addition to the Tensor G2 chip and the front camera for face recognition. The built-in dual-pixel autofocus could theoretically also provide depth data.

Unlike Apple’s Face ID, it’s loud Android Authority face recognition on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro is only a class 1 biometric feature. It can therefore be used to make the smartphone more convenient to use, for example when unlocking the device. However, the function is not suitable for protecting sensitive information. For payment transactions and logins, users would still need their fingerprint, PIN code or password.