Samsung Galaxy S9 will include advanced facial recognition technology, a new leak has revealed.
We had already heard whispers of an iPhone X-style facial recognition feature coming to the latest entry in the flagship Galaxy S entry, but now we have a much clearer idea of what form it will take.
Technology blog SamCentral has unearthed some clues in the settings APK for the Galaxy Note 8’s Android 8.0 Oreo beta.
Hidden in the beta software was a feature dubbed Intelligent Scan.
According to SamCentral, this uses camera-based face detection coupled with the in-built iris scanner for “better accuracy and security” and improved facial recognition in “low or very bright” lighting.
The iris scanning technology built into the Galaxy Note 8 isn’t quite on par with the Face ID system used in the iPhone X.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S8’s face scanning feature is powered by the front-facing camera, which makes it much less secure than Face ID.
Samsung admits as much on the Galaxy S8 product page, which states that “face recognition is less secure than pattern, PIN, or password”.
However, this could easily change with the software upgrades purportedly scheduled for the Galaxy S9.
According to a video unearthed by SamCentral, both the iris scanner and front-facing camera are active – regardless of the conditions – in an effort to correctly identify the person holding the phone.
It’s not clear whether this means Samsung plans to combine their data or use one authentication method as a backup for another. The iris scanner could take precedence at night, for instance.
Previous rumours also pointed to the Galaxy S9 shipping with a “3D sensor front camera” to aid with facial recognition.
There’s no word on specific hardware improvements in the leaked Intelligent Scan video – that means the feature could ship to older Galaxy models, like the Note 8.
Unfortunately, these older devices are unlikely to be able to use the feature in exactly the same way as Galaxy S9 owners.
The all-new Exynos 9810 processor tipped to appear in the Galaxy S9 explicitly enables iPhone X-style 3D face detection.
It also includes a secure biometric processing unit, so you’ll need a Galaxy S9 before you’re able to use face to authenticate contactless payments or other features that depend on tougher security measures.
Whether Intelligent Scan appears on the Galaxy Note 8 or not, the feature likely won’t launch until the Samsung Galaxy S9 has been unveiled on-stage at Mobile World Congress.
Samsung has confirmed it will unveil the latest in its Galaxy S range at MWC.
The South Korean technology company mailed-out its invitation to the launch event earlier this month.
“The Camera. Reimagined,” the invites teases, complete with a large stylised number 9.
Samsung adds, “If a picture is worth a thousand words, the latest member of the Galaxy family has a lot to say.
“On February 25, Samsung Electronics will showcase the next generation of Galaxy devices that reimagines the camera and redefines the way you share your moments.”
Samsung is clearly very proud of the photography prowess of its new handset, which is a good thing, because the design of the Galaxy S9 is purportedly almost-identical to its predecessor.