Pixel 11 could bring back a very useful Pixel 4 feature

As bezels on phones have become smaller, the front area of ​​phones has become more expensive. This meant that we had to give up everything except one camera in the hole-punch cutout. Perhaps the biggest feature we lost because of this was the IR cameras, which could be used for quick and secure authentication even in complete darkness.

Luckily, this feature may finally be returning. Thanks to a massive leak from Google’s chip division, Android authority have reviewed credible documents indicating that Google is considering adding an under-display infrared camera to the Pixel 11.

Starting with the Pixel 7 series, all Google phones have a facial authentication solution that uses a regular color camera. While this is a useful feature, it is not as secure as a dedicated IR camera. Another downside is that it only works in sufficient light, making it less versatile.

However, the Pixel 7 wasn’t the first Google phone to feature face unlock—the Pixel 4 had the feature a few years ago, with a slight difference: the phone actually had two IR cameras that allowed it to perform secure authentication even in the dark.

Face unlock on Pixels could soon see another major change. According to the documentation we reviewed, Google’s Tensor G6 image signal processor will come with support for an under-display IR camera system. Thanks to a new “lightweight” interface (one of the main parts of the Internet service provider), designed specifically for this purpose, the chip will allow both better and much less power-intensive processing of such systems.

Obviously, just because a chip supports a feature doesn’t necessarily mean phones using it will use it too, but it does mean Google is at least considering the feature for the Pixel 11 series. If the plan goes through, Google will be combining Pixel face unlock support with Apple, which is rumored to release phones with an under-display IR camera for Face ID in 2026.

Unfortunately, the documentation doesn’t mention whether the regular selfie camera will be hidden from the screen. Considering that Google phones have always been focused on camera quality, it’s safe to assume that it will remain a dead end. Regular under-display cameras still suffer from a noticeable drop in clarity.