Google\u2019s upcoming flagship Pixel 11 smartphone is likely to launch without the much-anticipated facial biometrics-based unlock system, known as \u201cProject Toscana,\u201d according to a new leak.<\/p>\n
The feature likely won\u2019t debut on the P26 lineup, as it\u2019s \u201csimply still not ready for release,\u201d according<\/a> to a Mystic Leaks post, a Telegram channel that publishes leaks about Android phones. The Pixel 11 is expected to be available in August 2026.<\/p>\n News of \u201cProject Toscana\u201d emerged earlier this year, aligning with previous reports that Google is developing infrared face unlock for the Pixel 11 series. According to the leak<\/a>, the system is designed to perform better in challenging lighting conditions than Google\u2019s current face unlock feature on Pixel smartphones and will rival Apple\u2019s Face ID in speed.<\/p>\n While Apple\u2019s Face ID has established face unlock as the standard on iPhone, most Android devices, including Pixel phones, have opted for fingerprint recognition<\/a> as their main biometric authentication method.<\/p>\n Google has previously pursued face unlock technology with varying degrees of commitment: the Pixel 4 series in 2019 featured a dedicated infrared face unlock system, and subsequent Tensor-powered Pixel devices have offered a camera-based face unlock capable of being classified as a true biometric authentication method, rather than the less secure screen-bypass implementation.<\/p>\n Google has reportedly been developing an enhanced face unlock solution since 2024, aiming to address limitations such as low-light performance, according<\/a> to 9to5Google.<\/p>\n Last year, the company also launched its biometric ID security feature, Identity Check,<\/a> on Pixel phones. The feature enables users to require biometric authentication before allowing changes to sensitive settings, or when the device is outside a recognized area.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tArticle Topics<\/p>\n biometrics<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 face biometrics<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 facial authentication<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 Google<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 Pixel 11<\/a> \u00a0|\u00a0 smartphones<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tLatest Biometrics News<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 5, 2026, 4:43 pm EDT\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) has published a policy note and guidance documents pertaining to age\u2026<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 5, 2026, 4:14 pm EDT\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed stronger KYC requirements for voice service providers to prevent scams and illegal\u2026<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 5, 2026, 2:15 pm EDT\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Sumsub has launched an upgrade to its deepfake detection product with instant online self-learning updates to address rapidly evolving fraud\u2026<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 5, 2026, 1:46 pm EDT\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Unlocking a smartphone with your face used to require a camera placed in a notch or a punch hole in\u2026<\/p>\n
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