More hints about face unlock for the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro emerge

Google may not be done with face unlock on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro just yet. To recap, there were indications that Google had planned to integrate facial authentication as an option. Google even included references to face unlock in its early marketing materials, but the feature did not make it to market.

According to @mile_freak07, Google has added new hints towards face unlock functionality in Android 12 Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) 3 Beta, the latest Android 12 build. Unfortunately, the code only outlines that Google is developing the feature again, and is not a guarantee that it will make its way to consumer units. Potentially, face unlock could be destined for a future Pixel handset, like the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro.

Either way, face unlock on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro would not be as secure as on the Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL. For some reason, Google canned its advanced IR cameras, dot projector and flood illuminator hardware after one generation, a fate that also applied to its Soli radar chip. Currently, only Apple has stuck biometric face unlock hardware, which it continues to market as Face ID. 

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