Misryoum reports new indications that Google’s Project Toscana IR Face Unlock may not be ready for the Pixel 11 launch timeline.
Pixel 11 owners may have to wait longer than expected for a Face ID-style upgrade, after new signals suggested Google’s IR face-unlock effort isn’t quite ready.
At the center of the chatter is “Project Toscana. ” an advanced IR Face Unlock system that Misryoum says has been aimed at delivering speedy recognition to rival Apple’s Face ID experience.. Earlier claims pointed to an appearance on the Pixel 11 lineup. but the latest report raises doubts about whether it will arrive on schedule.
According to the updated leak, Project Toscana “likely won’t debut” with the Pixel 11 series releasing in 2026.. The explanation, as framed in the report, is straightforward: the feature is still not ready for a public release.. Misryoum notes that Google has not made any official announcement about the project. so timelines remain uncertain even as testing progress has been described.
Internal UX testing is said to have gone well on Pixel devices and Chromebooks. with performance described as matching the responsiveness users expect from Face ID.. That matters because IR-based approaches depend heavily on consistency and speed across different lighting conditions, angles, and user behavior.
In this context, the most important takeaway is that “tested successfully” and “ready to ship everywhere” are not the same milestone. Even when performance looks promising during trials, hardware variability, software tuning, and readiness for large-scale rollouts can still push launch dates.
With Google I/O approaching, Misryoum expects the usual wave of product updates and previews. If Project Toscana is heading for a later debut, the conference could still be a place where broader hints appear, even if the feature itself needs additional time to mature.
For Pixel users, this isn’t necessarily a setback for the idea of faster face authentication. It is, however, a reminder that flagship security features often land only when they’re dependable in the real world, not just in controlled testing.
Still, the window for clarification may be closer than it seems, and Misryoum will be watching for any official acknowledgment that confirms whether Project Toscana is on track for the Pixel 11 timeline—or beyond.