Is Google Pixel 8’s Face ID-Like Payment Feature Secure?

The Google Pixel 8 brings a bunch of new features this year, but it was interesting to hear the company talk about Face Unlock, which can now handle payments. The ability to use biometric technology on the Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro to make payments is intriguing in many ways.

The company doesn’t use hardware like Face ID on iPhones to protect the feature, which brings us to the main question, is the Pixel 8’s new payment feature as secure as the iPhone 14 or 15?

Google explained that it uses machine learning and relies on the security capabilities of the Titan M2 chip, which sounds like a strong package, but can’t compare to the use of real infrared sensors, which is provided by the iPhone’s Face ID.

“And now Pixel 8’s Face Unlock meets the highest Android biometric class, so you can use compatible banking and payment apps like Google Wallet,” as Google highlighted on its product page. Using words like the highest Android biometric class makes you wonder if the company even tried to use the security feature in the platform-agnostic world that includes iPhones.

Another concern is that since the Pixel 8 doesn’t have sensors to process biometric data, you’ll likely struggle to use the feature in low light. But unlike the iPhones, Google has a multi-biometric feature in the Pixels, which should serve as a reliable substitute in such cases. While the new biometric features for banking apps have been added to Google’s AI technology, it’s unlikely that we’ll see the Pixel 6 or Pixel 7 series phones get these features any time soon. Either way, we’re eagerly waiting to see if the Pixel 8’s new-look Face Unlock will be able to deliver payments securely.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro feature a new Actua display that offers a 120Hz and adaptive 120Hz refresh rate display this year. The base Pixel 8 is priced at Rs 75,999, while the lone Pixel 8 Pro model is priced at Rs 1,06,999.