Pixel 7: facial recognition is coming, but there is progress to be made

The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are the first devices from Google in years to use facial recognition, but the latter is not yet able to completely replace the fingerprint sensor like at Apple.

Last night, Google lifted the veil on its two new high-end smartphones, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Without being revolutionary, the latter embed better components, but come especially with new dedicated features such as Photo Unblur, which allows you to unblur all your photos.

However, one of the most important new features is probably the return of facial recognition, which disappeared with the Pixel 4. As the leaks revealed, both new smartphones will be able to unlock using your facebut the functionality should be very limited.

Facial recognition does not completely replace the fingerprint reader

As noted by Andreas Proschofsky, editor at Der Standard, Google’s facial recognition on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro is classified as “Biometric Class 1”. The system is therefore limited to unlocking smartphones, and cannot completely replace the fingerprint reader.

Indeed, it should be impossible for users to use their faces to accept payments or confirm their identity online, as is the case with Face ID on iPhones. Although Google touts the prowess of its algorithm boosted with artificial intelligence and machine learning, the smartphone is not equipped with the necessary sensors to ensure exemplary security with facial recognition. Pixel 7 and 7 Pro owners will then still have to use the fingerprint sensor apart from unlocking the device.

If the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are compatible with Face Unlock, we recall that it is thanks to the introduction of a new Samsung 3J1 10.8 MP selfie photo sensor. The latter, combined with a new algorithm from Google as well as Machine Learning, finally allows Google to be confident and therefore to offer a secure facial recognition system, even if it is limited. It is also still possible that facial recognition will eventually be available on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, as revealed by a recent report from 9To5Google.