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Leak Points to Delay for Pixel 11’s Face ID-Style ‘Project Toscana’

The move would push Google’s bid to match Apple’s Face ID to a later release.

Overview

  • Multiple reports on Monday cite a post from the leaker MysticLeaks claiming Google’s new face unlock hardware is not ready for the Pixel 11.
  • Google has not confirmed Project Toscana, leaving open whether the phones ship with dormant components that could be enabled after launch.
  • Earlier coverage described Toscana as an infrared system hidden behind the display that works in the dark and aims for Face ID-level speed and accuracy.
  • If the leak holds, Pixel 11 buyers would rely on the fingerprint reader and today’s camera-based face unlock, which struggles in low light despite meeting the bar for payments on recent models.
  • Google previously tried hardware face unlock on 2019’s Pixel 4 and later shifted to camera-based software, and testers this year reportedly saw Toscana working on Pixels and some Chromebooks.