Google is stepping up its game in the ongoing struggle for smartphone supremacy by improving the security features of the Pixel 8, putting it in direct rivalry with the impending iPhone 15.
Google previously launched 3D facial scanning biometric security in the 2019 Pixel 4, but briefly discontinued this feature with the Pixel 5. The Pixel 4’s technology relied on a collection of sensors, including Google’s own Soli radar chip, a flood illuminator, and a dot projector, to create an extraordinarily safe method of identity verification.
Google has now announced that the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will inherit the same high level of security, but with no additional hardware beyond the front-facing selfie camera. According to the company’s official statement, this achievement is attributable to “Tensor’s advanced machine learning.”
Simply put, the Pixel 8 has an improved Face Unlock feature that can authorize purchases and allow access to protected services such as banking apps and password vaults. If this works like Apple’s Face ID, a simple glance at your phone should be enough to gain access to these secure services. In contrast, the Pixel 7’s Face Unlock relied primarily on a 2D facial scan, which fell short of payment authorization security standards.
The Google Pixel 8 is pitching itself as a formidable challenger to the highly anticipated iPhone 15.
