Face unlock on Android isn't as secure as using your fingerprint, and it isn't for lack of trying either. Google had a go at delivering a reliable solution with Soli on the Pixel 4, but recent devices like the Pixel 10 Pro XL rely on software and a combination of the Tensor G5. Huawei also dabbled in secure face unlock for a while, adding a dedicated ToF sensor to its phones.
Thankfully, facial recognition tech is about to get a much-needed upgrade. Metalenz is a U.S. fabless optics company that works on biometric security, and its Polar ID tech is now in mass production. The tech was initially showcased two years ago, and it uses a custom imaging system that uses polarization sensing to deliver a secure face unlock solution. The video below illustrates the tech in action:
Metalenz demonstrated the effectiveness of Polar ID on a Snapdragon reference device, so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle to roll out the tech on various Android devices that leverage Qualcomm's silicon. Where Polar ID stands out is that it uses a single meta-optic lens and an IR illuminator, making the module size considerably smaller. This should allow device makers to integrate the solution on their phones without resorting to a bigger cutout, and that's a definite bonus.
Metalenz just teamed up with Taiwanese fab UMC to start production of the Polar ID modules on a 40nm node, and the brand's CEO Rob Devlin notes that the Polar ID tech is "ready to meet the demands of high-volume consumer electronics." The only thing left is for Android device makers to leverage the module in their devices, and we'll have to wait and see how long that takes.
