This Is Google’s Pixel 2 Prototype With Iris Scanning

It seems like Google had a Pixel 2 prototype with Iris scanning aka Iris Recognition System. This phone got leaked by Internal Archive, as you can see in the image below the article.

This Google Pixel 2 prototype actually offers Iris scanning

We’re not sure how close this phone was to release, but it does resemble the Pixel 2, a bit. The differentiating factor comes down to one thing (aside from the bezels, more on that later), the 8-megapixel selfie shooter on the left has been replaced by an “IR-filtered front camera” on this prototype. An IR LED and an accompanying cutout have been placed on the opposite side.

What’s interesting is that this prototype actually works, kind of. It has some sort of test software on it, as it boots into AOSP. The camera app brings up the IR view, and the flashlight Quick Settings toggle enables the IR flash. It doesn’t really make sense, but do note this is just test software.

Now, the source says that the ‘IrisDemo’ app allows you to enroll “verify” (test) and “enroll” (register) your irises. There are two circles on the screen, and you need to align your irises to sit there.

This device has gigantic bezels, noticeably thicker than the commercial Pixel 2

You will notice that the bezels on this thing are huge. Needless to say, Google would have never released this phone as it is. It would have needed some changes, design-wise, before it reaches the market. The Pixel 2 series had chunky bezels, but this is on a whole other level.

The company obviously opted against that, and released the Pixel 2 series that we know and love. As some of you know, the Pixel 2 did not deliver Iris scanning.

Google did opt for a somewhat similar form of authentication with the Pixel 4, so two years later. The Pixel 4 series delivered Soli-backed face unlock, so it was not Iris scanning. Google ditched that the next year, though. We didn’t have facial scanning again until this year, with the Pixel 7 series. That face scanning is not as secure, though, as it uses the front-facing camera without any additional hardware.