Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro could beat Apple iPhone 18 Pro to under-display face unlock technology

Google has gone back and forth with offering face unlock as a biometric authentication in recent years. While it has done so from the Pixel 7 Pro (curr. $449 on Amazon) onwards, it removed the feature across its Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 series. However, recent Pixel smartphone generations have lacked the hardware necessary to match the secure face unlock offered by the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, despite its assurances to the contrary.

According to Kamila Wojciechowska, Google may change tack again, but not with next year's flagships. Instead Wojciechowska suggests that the company could use the Pixel 11 series in 2026 to showcase new under-display infrared (IR) camera technology. Reportedly, this will be facilitated by the Tensor G6, which Wojciechowska claims has been detailed in documentation provided by the same source behind her other recent Tensor chipset-related leaks.

Allegedly, the Tensor G6 supports IR camera systems through 'a new “lite” front-end' within its image signal processor (ISP); Wojciechowska has not shared any other information in this regard, though. Incidentally, Apple has long been rumoured to be exploring similar technology itself. With that being said, an esteemed analyst has reported that ongoing issues have forced Apple to delay mass producing this technology back at least two years from the iPhone 16 series to the iPhone 18 series at the earliest.