The unveiling of the Google Pixel 8 series and Pixel Watch 2 at the recent Made by Google hardware event marks the end of a period filled with speculations and leaks. In our detailed exploration of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, we uncovered some noteworthy additions. One of these long-awaited features is the integration of Face Unlock authentication for secure apps and, notably, banking applications.
To provide some context, the Pixel 4 series introduced dedicated hardware components like a flood illuminator, infrared cameras, and a dot projector for robust facial recognition. However, Google decided to forego this technology in the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6. With the Pixel 7 series, facial recognition made a return via Face Unlock, albeit without the specialized hardware. Unfortunately, this limited its functionality to unlocking the device, preventing users from making NFC payments through Google Pay/Wallet or other banking apps. This omission was particularly peculiar, considering that other Android manufacturers, like Samsung, had already enabled facial recognition for payments and sign-ins through Samsung Wallet (formerly Samsung Pay).
Google has now rectified this situation with the Pixel 8 series, incorporating new hardware that aligns with the stringent security requirements of Class 3 biometrics, essential for secure banking apps. As a result, users of the Pixel 8 series can finally make NFC payments using Face Unlock, in addition to other tasks such as app sign-ins.
This advancement is made possible through the inclusion of new sensors in the Pixel 8 duo, along with a range of machine learning algorithms integrated into the Tensor G3 SoC and the Titan M2 security chip, as disclosed by Google. Regrettably, users of older Pixel models like the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 may not benefit from this basic feature due to the lack of compatible hardware.
It’s evident that Google has arrived somewhat late to this party, and it’s unlikely that users of older Pixel phones will upgrade to the Pixel 8 solely for this feature. Nevertheless, the Pixel 8 series offers a wealth of other compelling features, particularly the Pixel 8 Pro, making it a worthwhile upgrade for users of previous models like the Pixel 5 XL or Pixel 6 Pro.
Notably, Google has not provided specific information about whether Face Unlock has been enhanced to perform effectively in low-light conditions, so there may still be instances where PIN or fingerprint authentication is required. Google lists Face Unlock and fingerprint authentication on equal footing for banking and secure apps, implying they can be used interchangeably. As it stands, while users can employ Face Unlock on the Pixel 7 series to unlock their devices, they will need to use a saved fingerprint or PIN to authenticate payments on Google Pay or other banking apps.
While this significant addition may have gone somewhat unnoticed, Google has been more forthcoming about other features in the Pixel 8 series. Notably, the integration of Assistant with Bard has brought Google’s AI capabilities to its personal assistant. There are many other features to explore, and we’ll delve into them in greater detail in our upcoming reviews of the Pixel 8/Pixel 8 Pro and the Pixel Watch 2. Both flagship phones are available for pre-order now, with shipments scheduled to commence on October 12th.
