Google Pixel 11 to have under-display infrared (IR) camera for face unlock: Report

The Pixel 9 series was launched in August at Google’s Made By Google event. The next-generation Pixel 10 lineup isn’t expected to arrive until the second half of next year, but we’re already seeing leaks about the 2026 Pixel 11 lineup. A new leak from Google’s chip division suggests that the tech giant is planning to add an under-display infrared (IR) camera to the Pixel 11. This could lead to a more secure face unlock. Google used this technology on the 2019 Pixel 4 models.

Google Pixel 11 could get improved face unlock

A report by Android Authority, citing leaked documents from Google’s chips division, says that the company is considering bringing back an under-display infrared (IR) camera in the Pixel 11. This will reportedly provide a more secure and versatile face unlock feature compared to the current face authentication system, which relies on regular front colour cameras.

Google’s Tensor G6 chipset, which is expected to power the Pixel 11 series, could support the new IR camera system. The chip’s image signal processor (ISP) will reportedly have a new “light” front end designed specifically for this purpose. If this plan comes to fruition, it will potentially match Apple’s rumoured under-display Face ID technology for 2026.

This rumoured feature is similar to the secure face unlock offered by the Pixel 4. The 2019 Pixel phones included two IR cameras for facial recognition that works even in the dark, but these were removed in subsequent Pixel generations. Since the Pixel 7 series, all Pixel phones have adopted a face authentication solution that uses the regular front colour camera.

Meanwhile, the status of the regular selfie camera in the Pixel 11 models is not yet clear, however, it is expected to be housed in a hole punch cutout on the display.