Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Google could add an under-display infrared digital camera to the 2026 Pixel 11 for safe face unlock.
- The 2026 Tensor G6 chip will assist under-display IR cameras.
- Google could change its thoughts and determine towards together with the sensor.
Bear in mind the Google Pixel 4 and its Soli-based entrance IR cameras? Moreover numerous gestures, the IR cameras supplied a technique to unlock the cellphone securely. However Google dumped the function the subsequent 12 months as a result of its restricted usefulness. Whereas all current Pixel telephones assist face unlock, they rely solely on the entrance digital camera. This even consists of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9, which permit utilizing the entrance digital camera for biometric fee authentication. It seems Google shouldn’t be carried out with IR cameras, although, and it may return with the 2026 Pixel 11.
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Kamila Wojciechowska, recognized for her correct Pixel leaks, claims in a report for Android Authority that Google may add an under-display infrared digital camera to the Pixel 11. Primarily based on leaked paperwork from Google’s chip division, the report claims the ISP (Picture Sign Processor) of the 2026 Tensor G6 — destined for the Pixel 11 lineup — will assist an under-display IR digital camera. It’ll purportedly function a “lite” front-end, permitting the chip to course of info from the IR cameras with comparatively low energy consumption.
In contrast to on the Pixel 4, the system ought to be positioned beneath the show and won’t require a notch or cut-out to operate.
Will Pixel 4’s Movement Sense additionally return with the Pixel 11?
There is no different info within the doc to recommend the Pixel 11 will home IR cameras, nevertheless it at the least factors to Google contemplating such a function. Apparently, there are rumors that Apple will change to under-display Face ID on the iPhone in 2026, too.
For the reason that Pixel 11 is nearly two years away from launch and there’s no different credible info but, you shouldn’t get your hopes up too excessive. The corporate could determine towards together with the IR cameras as a result of price or technological causes.
Google seems to be scaling its Pixel ambitions
Pixel telephones have by no means been recognized for packing top-notch {hardware}. However all current indicators recommend Google is engaged on altering that. The Pixel 9 Professional collection makes use of Samsung’s latest, brightest, and most effective OLED panels but. Even the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely may not sport the identical show expertise.
Equally, one other report lately claimed that future Pixel telephones will get an iPhone-level SoC improve and use TSMC’s newest 3nm node for the subsequent two years.
All these modifications point out Google is getting ready to tackle the large boys of the Android world with its future Pixel telephones.