How does S21 face unlock work?

[PaulQ]

I currently use a Pixel 4XL and I'm on the verge of buying an S21 Ultra. I haven't had a Samsung phone in years.

How does the S21 face unlock work compared to the Pixel 4XL? As far as I can tell, it only has the one camera on the front. I read something about iris scanning on the S20. Is that part of it on the S21?

Also, does anyone know what making it faster does? I noticed that is a setting. I mean, I assume it makes it faster but how?

Thanks!

(simply can't find this on the web, maybe I am not searching right)

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

The face unlock on the Samsung is just like a photo of your face. It is not 3D like the Pixel 4 series phones or iPhone. It is not secure and can be fooled with a photo.

 

[PaulQ]

The face unlock on the Samsung is just like a photo of your face. It is not 3D like the Pixel 4 series phones or iPhone. It is not secure and can be fooled with a photo.

So they still never got past the ability to fool it with a photo? I seem to recall that was an issue over 3 years ago but I haven't been following Samsung. I knew it wasn't as advanced as Pixel but hoped it had improved. Too bad.

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

It is more of a convenience feature than a security one in my opinion.

 

[mustang7757]

It won't be as good as the pixel 4 secure wise but I'm sure it can do the job .

 

[mandoman28]

Not too impressed with the face scan or the finger scan. Both worked real well on my S20FE, not so much on my S21+. It almost always takes multiple tries before either of them work right.

 

[Roadijeff]

The face scan unlock on my S21 Ultra works very well except when I'm wearing a mask. Then, the fingerprint scan works fine as long as I press down a little and rock my finger slightly. It seems to work better than my old S10 did.