Face ID in iPhone X vs. 'Face Unlock' Facial Recognition in OnePlus 5T

[MacRumors]

The iPhone X has been available for a little over a month now, which has given consumers time to adjust to the new biometric authentication method, Face ID. Face ID replaces Touch ID, unlocking the iPhone X via a face scan rather than a fingerprint.

In the video below, we decided to take a second look at Face ID after having spent some time with it to see how it measures up to Touch ID and how it compares to similar facial recognition options in devices like the OnePlus 5T.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

For the most part, Face ID works well and is at least as quick as Touch ID, but there are some undeniable pain points. When the iPhone X is held in landscape mode, like when you're in bed, Face ID often doesn't work. It can also have trouble when it's flat on a surface and can't get a good read on your face, and when you have sunglasses, a hat, or a scarf covering your face, it can be hit or miss at times.

These points of failure don't apply to some of the other smartphones that use facial recognition techniques. The OnePlus 5T, like devices with facial recognition from Samsung, uses multiple biometric systems with facial recognition paired with a fingerprint sensor.

Face ID is, however, in most ways superior to the facial recognition options used by competing devices, simply because it offers more security. Face ID is using 3D depth sensing with an infrared camera and a dot projector, while companies like OnePlus and Samsung are using 2D methods that rely solely on the front-facing device camera.

Without 3D depth mapping, the OnePlus 5T's Face Unlock feature can be faster than Face ID, but it doesn't work in low light, unlike Face ID, which can work in almost all lighting conditions. It's also more of a convenience feature than a security feature and it's not used for authenticating passwords or mobile payments.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said Face ID is years ahead of similar facial recognition techniques from Android smartphone makers, and that's evident in the functionality divide between the OnePlus 5T and the iPhone X.

Still, some people are having trouble adjusting to Face ID and miss the convenience of certain Touch ID features, like being able to unlock the iPhone regardless of its position.

Love it or hate it, Face ID is here to stay. Rumors already suggest Face ID will roll out to the 2018 iPhones, and we're also hearing that Face ID will expand to additional devices like the iPad Pro in the future.

Article Link: Face ID in iPhone X vs. 'Face Unlock' Facial Recognition in OnePlus 5T

 

[beermode]

Do you have any articles that DON'T quote KGI?

 

[laurim]

I’ve had my X for a couple days and Face ID works great. Even when I’m in a pretty dark room. I consider it a plus if it doesn’t work with sunglasses or some other potential way for someone else to pretend to be me.

 

[gijoeinla]

Personally, I am not having trouble with Face ID. I like it and am so happy the home button is GONE. I was over it 2 years ago and hated pushing to do everything. Face ID gets better by you inputting your Passcode, make no mistake it actually is helping your FaceID when you use your Passcode. My personal experience just 15 days in with FaceID is that it feels its getting faster and better. Knowing that its machine learning my facial details, I'm totally ok with entering my passcode. The interface of iOS 11 and the X is just so smooth. Yes I hear some of your complaints but for me its working. Battery life so far seems to have improved for me with 11.2. Love the animojis too.

Yes Santa there’s some really cool cutting edge technology in the X and I’m really liking it.

 

[macTW]

“I got my iPhone X day one and Face ID failed two times! Must return phone!”

- many people complaining, who forget that the machine learning builds upon itself over time to get a better idea of your face.

 

[KingslayerG5]

Note8's iris scanner is also faster than Face ID.

 

[allenvanhellen]

I do wish it also had Touch ID under the display. There are times when I’m busy, the display’s gone to sleep and I want to check something again, but I don’t feel like leaning over and in for Face ID to work. Touch ID was faster and more reliable in those instances. But yeah, for the most part, Face ID is great. I especially appreciate now that winter is here it’s time to wear gloves.

 

[falainber]

Personally, I am not having trouble with Face ID. I like it and am so happy the home button is GONE. I was over it 2 years ago and hated pushing to do everything. Face ID gets better by you inputting your Passcode, make no mistake it actually is helping your FaceID when you use your Passcode. My personal experience just 15 days in with FaceID is that it feels its getting faster and better. Knowing that its machine learning my facial details, I'm totally ok with entering my passcode. The interface of iOS 11 and the X is just so smooth. Yes I hear some of your complaints but for me its working. Battery life so far seems to have improved for me with 11.2. Love the animojis too.

How do you know it is learning anything? And, when you have to enter a passcode, it does not work for you (you are just confused). The notion that it is learning something when you are entering the psscode may have a placebo effect though.

 

[burtba]

I've had mine since release day. I agree, the tech is fantastic and we have nearly touched the surface of what we are going to see with Face ID, security is great, but realistically I don't need super security on my phone. I don't have super secret stuff and have not YET lost my phone, I only require tempted snooping from have a quick look.
I also don't like the fact that it won't recognise on an angle or flat on a table. They are situations I use to use with Touch ID.

 

[hvfsl]

Note8's iris scanner is also faster than Face ID.

The problem with 2D systems is you can fool them with a photo, which isn't possible with the iPhone (since it takes a 3D scan).

 

[iapplelove]

My Face ID never fails. Pretty damn impressed thus far!

 

[ipedro]

Face ID has worked perfectly for me since the very first time I set it up. And I have since grown a full beard for the winter and often switch between glasses, no glasses, and sunglasses.

Face ID comes with passive security features that would be too annoying for iOS to keep asking with Touch ID. Password auto completion is one of those nice Face ID features along with hidden notifications.

My iPhone works for me on my desk because I have it in a dock. If I get a notification, I change my glance to the phone to see what it was and it instantly recognizes me. A wider field of view may help, but not by much. Face ID works for me if it’s on a table while I’m eating because I’m sitting over it, rather than leaning back in a chair. Overall, in most cases, if I can see my screen, it can see me.

Face ID has just become invisible security. I rarely think about it. I never wait for it. I just swipe up and I’m home. It unlocked in the split second it took to swipe. I wouldn’t want to go back to Touch ID. It now feels like a chore on my iPad.

 

[TheDannyBlack]

after a couple of week using.. I actually turned Face ID off to log in... I have my passcode set to 15 mins of non use. really im not a target to get my phone broken into. Face ID worked pretty good, but it took more time and not always the right way... I wish they would allow Face ID to log in after a set amount of non use like the passcode, its just not necessary every time I open my phone

 

[SigEp265]

Ive had the iPhone X for about a week now. Face ID works even with a hat and sunglasses on. I have found Face ID to sometimes not work in a pitch black room however. I do miss Touch ID somewhat but Face ID for the most part has been great.

 

[Nunyabinez]

Face ID isn't perfect, but people act like Touch ID never had any issues.

I had to put my code in many times with Touch ID, like any time my hands were the least bit wet.

 

[Piggie]

It does seem totally crazy it only works in normal portrait mode.
Common sense would have made you think it would work in any orientation.
Just rotate the image electronically inside.

I'm 100% this must be fixed, as no way would even Apple be dumb enough to put Face ID in a iPad of the future and require people to have to turn the iPad around to be able to unlock it.

 

[falainber]

Face ID has worked perfectly for me since the very first time I set it up. And I have since grown a full beard for the winter and often switch between glasses, no glasses, and sunglasses.

Face ID comes with passive security features that would be too annoying for iOS to keep asking with Touch ID. Password auto completion is one of those nice Face ID features along with hidden notifications.

My iPhone works for me on my desk because I have it in a dock. If I get a notification, I change my glance to the phone to see what it was and it instantly recognizes me. A wider field of view may help, but not by much. Face ID works for me if it’s on a table while I’m eating because I’m sitting over it, rather than leaning back in a chair. Overall, in most cases, if I can see my screen, it can see me.

Face ID has just become invisible security. I rarely think about it. I never wait for it. I just swipe up and I’m home. It unlocked in the split second it took to swipe. I wouldn’t want to go back to Touch ID. It now feels like a chore on my iPad.

Does not Touch ID works just as good (even faster) but without the need to swipe? One may call it "invisible security".

 

[UL2RA]

I’ve had my X for a couple days and Face ID works great. Even when I’m in a pretty dark room. I consider it a plus if it doesn’t work with sunglasses or some other potential way for someone else to pretend to be me.

No idea what you're talking about. It works perfectly with my sunglasses on.

 

[raniel]

make faceid faster please

 

[MikeAnd]

The problem with 2D systems is you can fool them with a photo, which isn't possible with the iPhone (since it takes a 3D scan).

Yes, it's a pretty silly comparison when the security levels are so dissimilar. It's like noting that a 2-digit passcode is (much!) faster to unlock than a 10-character alphanumeric password.

 

[usersince86]

There are times when I’m busy, the display’s gone to sleep and I want to check something again, but I don’t feel like leaning over and in for Face ID to work.

Honestly, I'm not making fun of you, and I might feel the same way if I had an iPhone X, but this is one of those "first world problems" things, isn't it?

 

[riverfreak]

I've had mine since release day. I agree, the tech is fantastic and we have nearly touched the surface of what we are going to see with Face ID, security is great, but realistically I don't need super security on my phone. I don't have super secret stuff and have not YET lost my phone, I only require tempted snooping from have a quick look.
I also don't like the fact that it won't recognise on an angle or flat on a table. They are situations I use to use with Touch ID.

Always amazed when people say they don’t have anything secret and have no need for good security. What, do you just use your phone for Words With Friends? Do you use email or log on to websites via a password? These days if someone has access to your phone, coupled with all of the extensive security breaches that have already taken place, they basically have access to your life.

Just because you’ve never lost a phone or had one stolen doesn’t mean it won’t happen. You’ll appreciate having good security when you need it.
[doublepost=1512774694][/doublepost]

No idea what you're talking about. It works perfectly with my sunglasses on.

Depends on the sunglasses and if you have time the attention aware settings enabled.
[doublepost=1512774964][/doublepost]

The iPhone X has been available for a little over a month now, which has given consumers time to adjust to the new biometric authentication method, Face ID. Face ID replaces Touch ID, unlocking the iPhone X via a face scan rather than a fingerprint.

In the video below, we decided to take a second look at Face ID after having spent some time with it to see how it measures up to Touch ID and how it compares to similar facial recognition options in devices like the OnePlus 5T.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

For the most part, Face ID works well and is at least as quick as Touch ID, but there are some undeniable pain points. When the iPhone X is held in landscape mode, like when you're in bed, Face ID often doesn't work. It can also have trouble when it's flat on a surface and can't get a good read on your face, and when you have sunglasses, a hat, or a scarf covering your face, it can be hit or miss at times.

These points of failure don't apply to some of the other smartphones that use facial recognition techniques. The OnePlus 5T, like devices with facial recognition from Samsung, uses multiple biometric systems with facial recognition paired with a fingerprint sensor.

Face ID is, however, in most ways superior to the facial recognition options used by competing devices, simply because it offers more security. Face ID is using 3D depth sensing with an infrared camera and a dot projector, while companies like OnePlus and Samsung are using 2D methods that rely solely on the front-facing device camera.

Without 3D depth mapping, the OnePlus 5T's Face Unlock feature can be faster than Face ID, but it doesn't work in low light, unlike Face ID, which can work in almost all lighting conditions. It's also more of a convenience feature than a security feature and it's not used for authenticating passwords or mobile payments.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said Face ID is years ahead of similar facial recognition techniques from Android smartphone makers, and that's evident in the functionality divide between the OnePlus 5T and the iPhone X.

Still, some people are having trouble adjusting to Face ID and miss the convenience of certain Touch ID features, like being able to unlock the iPhone regardless of its position.

Love it or hate it, Face ID is here to stay. Rumors already suggest Face ID will roll out to the 2018 iPhones, and we're also hearing that Face ID will expand to additional devices like the iPad Pro in the future.

Article Link: Face ID in iPhone X vs. 'Face Unlock' Facial Recognition in OnePlus 5T

Not to nitpick, but this is article is a little sloppy. To say that FaceID is “at least as fast as TouchID” simply isn’t true, especially because the home button can both orient the phone and unlock simultaneously.

And to state that the “(iPhone X) points of failure don't apply to some of the other smartphones that use facial recognition techniques.” is again misleading. Article goes on to state it’s because they ALSO include other biometrics. But their facial recognition systems certainly are prone to the same — and in some cases even greater — limitations of th iPhone X.

 

[dlemmon]

Overall I love Face ID more than touch id, but there are a few circumstances that Touch ID would be better.

 

[deanthedev]

Note8's iris scanner is also faster than Face ID.

And has zero security.

 

[Michael Goff]

And has zero security.

Nah, the Iris Scanner is secure, but obviously less secure than the iPhone X FaceID because it only uses the iris and can be fooled with special contacts.