Google Pixel 11 will reportedly have an IR camera under the display

The Pixel 9 series was launched in August at Google’s Made By Google event. The next-gen Pixel 10 lineup isn’t expected until the second half of next year, but we’re already starting to see leaks about the 2026 Pixel 11 lineup. A new leak from Google’s chip division suggests that the tech giant plans to add an under-display infrared (IR) camera to the Pixel 11. This could allow for more secure facial unlocking. Google used this technology on the 2019 Pixel 4 model.

Google Pixel 11 may get improved facial unlocking

A report from Android Authority, quote Leaked documents from Google’s chips division state that the company is exploring bringing an under-display infrared (IR) camera back to the Pixel 11. This would reportedly offer a more secure and versatile facial unlock feature than the current facial authentication system, which relies on on regular color front cameras.

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

This rumored feature is similar to the secure face unlock offered by the Pixel 4. The 2019 Pixel phone includes dual IR cameras for facial recognition that work even in the dark, but were removed in subsequent Pixel generations. Since the Pixel 7 series, all Pixel phones have used a facial authentication solution that uses the regular color camera on the front.

Meanwhile, the placement of the regular selfie camera in the Pixel 11 model is unclear at this time, but it is expected to be placed in the punch-hole cutout on the screen.