by We’re just days away from the big reveal of the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, but the leaks are unlikely to end until the launch event begins. The latest information to appear on the flagship phones covers details on face unlock and eSIM features.
This comes from the Android expert Mishaal Rahman (opens in new tab) (via Android Police (opens in new tab)), which investigates code in the Google Play Console – this is the platform that developers use to manage the availability of their apps on Android.
Google has done some work on the arrival of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro – codenamed Panther and Cheetah respectively – and that means some of the new phones’ features are now listed in the Google Play Console database.
Also, both Pixel 7s claim to support ‘android.hardware.biometrics.face’, which means they support secure face unlock! pic.twitter.com/vjGdkWgvj9September 29, 2022
Trading features
Based on the code that’s out there now, full face unlock will be coming to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The feature was left out of the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 phones, as it was one of the selling points of the Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL.
Google initially described the removal of face unlock as a “good trade-off” in terms of the overall feature set the Pixels offer, but there’s been constant chatter around the idea of bringing it back for the Pixel 7 — and even retroactively rolled out to the Pixel 6 phones.
The other thing revealed here is that the phones look set to support dual eSIM setups, instead of one physical SIM and one eSIM. Whether this means the Pixel 7 handsets will come without SIM trays – at least in some regions – remains to be seen. The launch event is scheduled for Thursday, October 6.
Analysis: Pixels could be getting their Face ID back
It’s not certain that the code spotted on the Google Play Console will equate to full, secure face unlock on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro – but it’s certainly looking more likely. It looks like at least some form of facial recognition will be offered.
Apple has of course gone all in with Face ID on its recent iPhones, except for the budget iPhone SE. As a phone unlocking method it’s fast, convenient and secure, and Google really should have added it back to the Pixel line before now.
The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL included special radar sensor technology that could map a face incredibly quickly from a wide variety of angles. Face Unlock worked so well on these phones that it was almost as if the lock screen didn’t exist.
Having the same frictionless unlocking experience would be a definite plus for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro – and considering that several of the specs are expected to match their Pixel 6 predecessors, it seems the new phones could use some upgrades to show off.
