Google is reportedly working on upgraded facial recognition technology for the upcoming Pixel 11 lineup and future Chromebooks. The internal codename for the project is “Project Toscana.”
According to a person who has tested the system, the new face unlock feature operates without adding any visible sensors to Pixel phones. It remains unclear whether the system relies on infrared technology similar to Apple’s Face ID. If infrared is involved, the components are said to be placed beneath the display. Apple is also rumored to adopt a similar under-display approach for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
Externally, the new Pixel devices are expected to look the same as the Pixel 10 series. However, the key difference lies in performance. The updated face unlock system reportedly works equally well in low light and bright daylight conditions.
Google was previously rumored to introduce infrared-based face unlocking to the Pixel 11 family. This latest report suggests that Project Toscana may be the realization of that plan.
In addition to smartphones, Google is also said to be testing the same facial recognition technology on certain Chromebook models. It is not yet clear which devices are involved or when the feature may launch.
The source claims the new system matches the speed of Apple’s Face ID on iPhones. If accurate, this would represent a notable improvement for Pixel users.
Unlike iPhones, Pixel devices also include a fingerprint scanner. However, a reliable facial recognition option that functions consistently regardless of lighting conditions would provide users with a strong alternative unlocking method.