- Google is reportedly developing a new facial recognition system, codenamed Project Toscana, aiming to match the speed and security of Apple's Face ID.
- The technology is expected to debut with the Pixel 11 family, signaling a major shift in Google's biometric security strategy for its flagship phones.
- This development occurs alongside other ecosystem moves, like the expansion of Quick Share, highlighting Google's broader hardware-software integration push.
Here's a familiar scene. You pick up an iPhone, it sees you, and it unlocks. It just works. On Android, and specifically on Google's own Pixel phones, that moment has always been different. You're looking for a fingerprint sensor, either on the back or under the screen. That's because for years, Android's face unlock has been a second class citizen, a convenient but insecure trick that can't handle your banking app. Now, Google might be done with that compromise. Multiple reports say the company is building a new facial recognition system designed to go head to head with Apple's Face ID. Its name is Project Toscana, and its first home could be the Pixel 11.
The Rumor: Project Toscana Takes Aim at Face ID
So what exactly is this thing? According to sources talking to industry outlets, Google's hardware team is deep in the lab on a next generation face unlock system. The internal codename is Project Toscana. Its entire reason for being, according to one source, is to create something that works "as quickly as Apple's Face ID on iPhones." That's the goal. It's not about making the current, flimsy camera based unlock a bit better. It's about matching the gold standard for speed and, more importantly, for the bank vault level security that makes Face ID more than just a convenience.
Beyond Phones: A Broader Ambition
But here's where it gets more interesting. This isn't just a phone project. The same reports suggest the tech is being developed for both the Pixel 11 family and for future Chromebooks. That tells you Google isn't just playing feature catch up. It's thinking about its whole ecosystem. A secure face unlock that works on your phone and your laptop is a classic Apple style move. It makes the devices feel like they belong together, and it gives you one less reason to look outside Google's walled garden.
Technical Comparisons and the Android Challenge
To see why this is a big deal, you have to look at what we have now versus what Apple built. The table below spells out the stark difference.
| Specification | Current Typical Android Face Unlock | Apple Face ID (Current Benchmark) | Google's Project Toscana (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Primarily 2D image from front camera | 3D depth mapping via TrueDepth camera (Dot projector, IR camera, Flood illuminator) | Assumed to require similar 3D sensing hardware |
| Security Level | Generally not secure enough for payments/app authentication | Biometric authentication for payments, apps, and device unlock | Aims to be "on par," implying bank-level security |
| Speed | Varies, can be fast in good light | Consistently fast and reliable | Reported to work "as fast as Face ID" |
| Works in Darkness | Often fails without screen flash | Yes, uses infrared light | Implied by comparison to Face ID |
Now for the hard part. The source notes one massive, obvious hurdle, saying, "Of course, unlike iPhones," Pixels would need new hardware. They aren't kidding. Apple's system uses a custom array of sensors called the TrueDepth camera. It lives in the notch or the Dynamic Island. To match it, Google can't just write better software. The Pixel 11 would need a complete redesign of its front end. We're talking dot projectors, infrared cameras, the whole deal. That means changes to the phone's look, its screen, and definitely its price. It's the biggest barrier between this rumor and your pocket.
Implications for the Pixel Line and Android
If Google pulls this off, it changes everything for the Pixel. Think about it. The rear fingerprint sensor was a signature feature for years. Then they moved it under the screen. A Face ID competitor could make that fingerprint sensor feel redundant, at least on the Pro models. It would finally give Android a face unlock you can trust with your money. And it would put immense pressure on Samsung, OnePlus, and everyone else playing in the premium Android space to up their game. But there's a flip side. If this relies on proprietary Google hardware magic, it could create a new kind of fragmentation. You'd have Google Pixels with a truly secure face unlock, and the rest of Android still fumbling with fingerprints and photos.
Context: A Maturing Pixel Ecosystem
Look at Google's other moves lately, and this makes more sense. They just brought Airdrop like support to Quick Share for the Pixel 9 series. That's about making devices talk to each other easily. Project Toscana is the same idea, but for security and convenience. A face that unlocks your phone and your Chromebook is a powerful hook. It's Google learning a page from Apple's playbook, building features that make you want to stay inside their world.
The Pixel 10a: A Bridge to the Next Generation
While everyone's looking at the Pixel 11 horizon, remember the phone that's actually coming soon. Reports about Toscana popped up alongside details on the Pixel 10a. That's your reality check. The Pixel 10 family is next, probably this fall. Project Toscana is aimed at the generation after that. So we're talking about a 2026 target. That timeline gives Google a couple years to get the hardware right and the software polished. The Pixel 10a is the 2025 budget option. Toscana is the 2026 moonshot.
Broader Industry Trends and Privacy
Let's not ignore the giant elephant in the room. Putting a more advanced face scanner on millions of phones is a privacy minefield. As noted in a transcript discussing tech news, companies like Meta have faced scrutiny for introducing facial recognition features. The transcript states, "Meta is announcing face recognition at a moment when they think no one's paying attention." Google is not Meta, but it's also under a microscope. Any system that creates a precise 3D map of your face will need to be crystal clear on where that data lives (preferably only on your device), how it's used, and how you can delete it. Google's marketing for this feature will need to be as much about privacy promises as it is about unlock speed.
Pixel 11 Family: Projected Specifications (Rumored)
| Specification | Rumored Details |
|---|---|
| Key New Feature | Advanced Face Unlock ("Project Toscana") on par with Apple Face ID |
| Expected Speed | As fast as current iPhone Face ID |
| Security Level | Aims for parity with Face ID for payments & authentication |
| Required Hardware | New front-facing sensor array (Dot projector, IR camera assumed) |
| Ecosystem Integration | Technology also in development for future Chromebooks |
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Google's new face unlock be released?
Based on rumors, the technology is targeted for the Pixel 11 family, which would likely launch in the fall of 2026.
Will it be as secure as Apple Face ID for banking apps?
The stated goal is to be "on par" with Face ID, which suggests it is being designed to meet the same security standards for biometric authentication.
Will current Pixel phones get this feature?
Almost certainly not, as the reports emphasize the need for new, specialized hardware that existing models lack.
Final Thoughts
For Google, Project Toscana isn't just another feature. It's an admission. It's the company finally saying the fingerprint sensor, in any form, isn't the best answer anymore. They're chasing the feeling Apple nailed years ago, that your device should recognize you instantly and securely, without you doing a thing. But wanting that feeling and actually building it are two different battles. They have to redesign their hardware, convince users on privacy, and make it all work flawlessly out of the gate. If they can, the Pixel 11 won't just be another phone. It'll be the first Android phone that truly doesn't make you miss the iPhone.
Sources
- gsmarena.com
- reddit.com
- telegrafi.com
- twit.tv
- lumafield.com