Apple continues to use Face ID on the iPhone, which remains one of the most effective facial recognition systems among smartphones, even more than eight years after its introduction. Meanwhile, Google is developing its own alternative for Pixel devices and Chromebooks—an initiative called Project Toscana, which aims to deliver comparable speed and reliability.

Facial Recognition Features on Android

Most Android smartphones support face unlock, but typically rely solely on the front-facing camera. This approach reduces security, as it does not perform 3D facial scanning. Additionally, the effectiveness of these systems depends on lighting conditions: in low light, recognition can slow down or fail altogether.

Face ID Technology

The Face ID system on the iPhone 17 uses an infrared projector and infrared camera to create a 3D model of the user's face. Thanks to its built-in light source, the system works quickly and reliably regardless of ambient lighting conditions.

Google’s Alternative Development

Google is testing a new facial recognition system designed to match Face ID in both speed and reliability. Unlike Face ID and the Soli radar system used in the Pixel 4, the new technology is expected to work with a simple display cutout. Internally, the project is known as Project Toscana and is already in beta testing, indicating significant progress. Technical details have not yet been disclosed, but it is possible that an infrared projector, discreetly integrated into the OLED display, will be used—similar to Face ID.

Implementation Prospects

Another alternative under consideration is the integration of an improved radar system, similar to the one used in the Pixel 4, directly into the device’s display. According to available information, the new facial recognition system could debut in Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro smartphones as early as this year. A version for Chromebooks is also being discussed, with a launch expected no earlier than 2026.