Google has finally integrated facial recognition on its new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. However, it will not be as advanced as on the Pixel 4.
Thursday, October 6, Google unveiled, as expected, its new high-end smartphones, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. If the manufacturer had already presented them in a first preview last May, during the Google I / O, it was during this Thursday’s event that the firm revealed more information about theirs. characteristics and their functions.
In addition to the prices, launch dates, colors and characteristics of the photo modules embedded in the two smartphones, Google has also announced a major novelty for the Pixel 7… at least for users accustomed to Google smartphones.
Indeed, unlike the Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will be able to work with unlocking by facial recognition. Thus, the manufacturer will finally leave the choice to users to favor fingerprint recognition or facial recognition to access their smartphones.
Abandoned facial recognition with the hallmark
Remember that Google had already used facial recognition in the past, but it was then, like Google, facial recognition working using a 3D camera, like what offers Apple with its Face ID system. The Pixel 4 was thus the last high-end smartphone from Google to integrate such a system. Since the Pixel 5 and the move to a design with an edge-to-edge screen and a selfie camera integrated into a punch, the manufacturer then only offered the fingerprint reader as a biometric unlocking system.
The addition of facial recognition will thus allow more choices for users who will be able to use their phone more easily in winter when they are wearing gloves or if the fingerprint reader fails.
Face Unlock on the Pixel 7 series can only be used for unlocking the device, not for payments/Biometric Prompt, according to Google via @suka_hiroaki.https://t.co/OE5wn19iOh https://t.co/GniR45ewKY
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 6, 2022
However, due to the relative security of only two-dimensional facial recognition, it seems that Google only allows facial recognition to be used for unlocking the smartphone.
As journalist Mishaal Rahman reports on Twitter, users won’t be able to use this feature for certain functions that require more secure biometric unlocking, such as contactless payment or unlocking secure apps like password managers. For this use, users will then necessarily have to use the fingerprint reader or a password or PIN code system.
As a reminder, the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will be available from October 13 at the respective prices of 649 and 899 euros.
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