This article represents the personal views of the author. I find myself unable to move on from my iPhone, despite my desire to do so. Over the past few years, I have made numerous attempts to switch to the latest flagship Android phones. I enjoy many features they offer, but I inevitably realize they lack one crucial element I rely on daily—Face ID.
Android manufacturers have largely neglected to replicate Apple’s secure Face ID technology. While there were promising efforts in the past, like the Huawei Mate 20 Pro which featured 3D face recognition and a fingerprint scanner, the market shifted when Huawei faced governmental restrictions in the U.S. The Google Pixel series attempted this with the Pixel 4, which incorporated components similar to Face ID, but this was short-lived as they abandoned the feature after just one year. Interestingly, this abandonment may have been influenced by the Covid pandemic.
With people wearing masks, Face ID proved less effective, leading Android manufacturers to reconsider its feasibility. For a while, iPhones seemed disadvantaged without a touch ID option. However, now that we are past the pandemic, Face ID remains one of Apple’s standout features, allowing seamless interaction with notifications. Fortunately, not all hope is lost for those loyal to Android.
Honor’s recent flagship models, the Honor Magic 6 Pro and Magic 7 Pro, have introduced a secure 3D face recognition system akin to iPhones. These devices effectively operate even in low light, unlike other Android contenders such as the Pixel 9, which requires adequate lighting. Despite this advancement, it’s puzzling why mainstream Android brands like Samsung and OnePlus have not adopted similar technology. With so many users potentially hesitant to abandon their iPhones due to Face ID, it raises questions about consumer choice in the Android market.