One of the features expected before the launch of the Google Pixel 6 series was that relating to the authentication system based on the user’s facial recognition (Face Unlock), not actually available on the occasion of the debut of the new smartphones of the Mountain View giant but which could arrive in the next few weeks.
At least this is what seems to emerge from Android 12L Beta even if, according to what has been discovered, this function could be exclusive to Google Pixel 6 Pro users while those who use the “normal” model will have to continue to rely only on the sensor for fingerprint recognition.
Recall that in recent years Google has decided to focus on an authentication system based on facial recognition with Google Pixel 4, a smartphone equipped with the Soli radar sensor and other components dedicated to this solution (such as two IR sensors), then returning to the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 series to the classic sensor for fingerprint recognition.
Android 12L has a surprise for the Google Pixel 6 Pro
Analyzing the code of the beta version of Android 12L, the 9to5Google team discovered that the developers of the Mountain View giant have plans to reintroduce Face Unlock: in particular, it refers to the possibility for users to choose authentication with the face, fingerprint or both systems and this excludes Google Pixel 4 (which does not have a sensor for fingerprint recognition).
However, the references in the Android code suggest that only Google Pixel 6 Pro will be able to count on this functionality and this could also explain Google’s decision to equip this device with a better front camera (11.1 megapixels with a 94 ° field of view. compared to the 8 megapixels one with an 84 ° field of view of the “base” model).
It seems that the reason why the Face Unlock function has not been implemented since the launch of Google Pixel 6 Pro is linked to the not yet optimized development team of the Mountain View giant, which preferred to take a few more months to aim for a more efficient system.