- Pixel 11 may introduce advanced infrared face unlock under Project Toscana.
- The system was reportedly tested in varied lighting conditions with strong results.
- Chromebooks could also gain the same facial recognition technology.
- Official details are still unconfirmed and may appear later this year.
For years, Pixel fans have asked the same question: why did Google abandon the best face unlock system it ever built? When the Pixel 4 launched, it introduced advanced facial recognition hardware that felt fast, secure, and futuristic.
Then, just as quickly, it disappeared. Later Pixels brought face unlock back in a simplified form, but it never matched the reliability or security users had experienced before.
Now, fresh information suggests the upcoming Pixel 11 might finally close that gap. A new report points to a project internally known as Project Toscana, which could introduce a far more advanced facial authentication system not only on Pixel phones, but also across Chromebooks.
If the details prove accurate, Google may finally be ready to deliver the face unlock experience Pixel users have been waiting for.
Project Toscana explained
According to insider information shared with Android Authority, Project Toscana has recently been tested with user experience teams in Mountain View. The tests reportedly involved a Pixel device equipped with a standard hole punch selfie camera, though it remains unclear whether the final version will rely on traditional front facing hardware or an under display infrared sensor.
Earlier rumors suggested the Pixel 11 would feature an infrared under display camera system. That would bring it closer to the kind of dedicated depth sensing technology seen in Apple’s Face ID.
While the new report stops short of confirming the exact hardware, it does indicate that Toscana has been evaluated under varied lighting conditions, including low light environments where current Pixel face unlock systems struggle.
Sources claim performance was comparable to Apple’s implementation on iPhones. If accurate, that would represent a major leap forward for Google’s biometric security.
Not just for phones
Interestingly, this technology may not be limited to smartphones. Prototype Chromebooks reportedly using external cameras were also part of testing. That suggests Google is thinking bigger than a single device line.
Bringing advanced facial recognition to laptops would create a more unified authentication system across the company’s ecosystem. It would also align with Google’s broader ambitions around desktop and hybrid operating systems.
With ongoing development around Aluminium OS, a project blending Android and Chrome OS concepts, a secure face unlock system across devices makes strategic sense.
If Toscana is already being trialed on Chromebooks, it seems likely that future Google hardware across categories could benefit from it.
Why this matters for Pixel users
Current Pixel face unlock works well in bright conditions, but it lacks the hardware depth mapping required for higher security tiers. As a result, it is not always approved for sensitive authentication tasks like certain banking apps. Low light performance has also been a weak point compared to Apple’s iPhones.
An infrared-based system could address both issues. Infrared sensors can read facial data even in darkness, while structured light or depth-sensing components can significantly improve security. For Pixel users who prefer facial authentication over fingerprint sensors, this would be a meaningful upgrade.
That said, it is important to approach these claims with caution. Google has not officially confirmed any details about Project Toscana or the Pixel 11’s biometric capabilities. The first public hints may arrive at Google I O later this year, though the Pixel 11 series itself is not expected until late summer.
For now, Google’s attention is on the Pixel 10a. But if these leaks hold up, 2026 could finally be the year the Pixel line regains its biometric edge.
Google has shown before that it can build excellent facial recognition technology. The real question is whether it is ready to commit to it again at scale. Pixel 11 may provide that answer.
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