https://9to5google.com/2026/05/04/android-face-unlock-polar-id-metalenz/
Impressive under-display face recognition technology for Android phones appears to be able to be applied faster than expected.
While there are reports that Google's next smartphone, Pixel 11, may not feature new face recognition hardware, a new company has unveiled impressive under-display face recognition technology, with expectations that it could be applied to Android devices as soon as next year.
According to Wired's report, Metalenz has unveiled its new 'Polar ID' system. This technology is characterized by making iPhone-style face recognition hardware virtually invisible. This is because most of the hardware can be hidden beneath the OLED display.
This technology uses a flat lens system that takes up much less space than the face recognition systems used in existing Apple iPhones or some other devices. The key is optical metasurfaces technology, which refracts light toward the face recognition sensor through a single lens etched with nano structures.
Additionally, Metalenz has advanced the technology to also collect polarization data. This data allows analysis of how light reflects off specific surfaces, making it possible to distinguish between real human faces and fake faces like silicone 3D masks.
As a result, 'Polar ID' is a technology that provides a level of security similar to Apple's Face ID while being able to be implemented without large notches or punch holes on the screen. Metalenz signed a related technology agreement with Qualcomm a few years ago and has reportedly completed preparations for commercialization. 'Polar ID' is expected to be applied to smartphones and notebooks starting in 2027, and a fully under-display version is likely to launch in 2028.
According to reports, unlike the current camera-based face recognition in the Pixel series, this technology works even in dark environments. While the structure is similar to an under-display camera, the biggest difference is that polarization data is barely affected by the image quality degradation that occurs under the display. For example, the image quality degradation issues seen in the Galaxy Z Fold series' under-display selfie camera are reportedly not a major concern.
In actual demonstrations, the performance difference in data collection between states with hardware hidden under OLED and without was reportedly very minimal.
The changes needed from a display perspective are also not significant. Reportedly, a display panel with certain areas processed thinner is sufficient.
Meanwhile, Google is also reportedly developing under-display face recognition technology for a long time. It was internally referred to as 'Project Toscana,' and was originally expected to be included in the Pixel 11, which was to launch this year. However, according to another report released today, the Pixel 11 series reportedly does not have this hardware prepared. It remains unclear whether Google's technology is related to Metalenz, but it was previously reported to utilize infrared (IR) hardware.
Regardless of which direction Google takes with future Pixel series, the emergence of a practical under-display face recognition solution that other Android manufacturers can adopt is itself quite interesting news.
