Google leaks always come fast and furious, and the Google Pixel 11 is no exception, with recent leaks stating that the use of Face ID will change.

Google has eliminated the infrared camera on the Google Pixel 4 in order to save as much screen space as possible. This handy little piece of hardware allowed for fast and secure authentication in the dark. However, a major leak (via Android Authority) has revealed that this hardware may return in the Pixel 11.

The past few generations of Pixel phones, starting with the Pixel 7, have used front cameras for facial recognition. However, the Pixel 11's Face ID feature will be more versatile, as the infrared camera uses heat generated by living organisms to form an image and works in the dark.

According to leaked documents, this is not the only change being brought to Face Unlock. Apparently, the Google Tensor G6 image signal processor will now support an IR camera system under the display. The chip includes a new “light” front end, one of the key parts of the ISP, designed to make this type of system easier to handle and consume less power.

We have seen similar leaks informing us about many features of the Pixel 11. These include a wealth of new AI-based editing and drawing features. The device will also include a much-improved Night Sight feature that runs on the device without requiring the cloud; the Google Pixel 11 will also be able to use AI to increase telephoto zoom by 100x, and several hardware improvements to the Pixel 11's camera have been mentioned. improvements to the Pixel 11's camera are also mentioned.

There are still many things we don't know about the Google Pixel 11, and it is unlikely that we will even see this device until 2026. As such, it is worth noting that the chip may support an under-screen IR camera, but not necessarily that it will be included.