Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: Latest MIUI update brings Face Unlock feature

Xiaomi is the latest company to offer "Face Unlock" feature on its smartphones. The technology allows users to unlock the phone by just looking at the screen.

The company on Friday announced rolling out a new update for Redmi Note 5 Pro users, adding the popular facial recognition technology. The new feature is part of Xiaomi's latest system update - MIUI v9.2.4.0.

The update is being rolled out over-the-air (OTA). While Redmi Note 5 Pro users may have received the update by now, they can also download the update manually. In order to do so, go to Settings > About Phone > System Update. You'll see an update available for MIUI 9.

The update is roughly 1.3GB in size, therefore, we recommend you to download it over the Wi-Fi unless you have enough mobile data. Xiaomi claims that the smartphone will unlock using this feature in under 0.2 seconds.

Apart from the popular face unlock feature, the update also brings improved system stability.

How to set it up

Xiaomi's Face Unlock feature is pretty easy to setup. You will find this feature in 'Lock screen & password' under Settings menu. Before adding your facial data for security, you will first need to set a PIN, password, or lock pattern for additional security.

It takes only a few seconds for the phone to scan your face and you're ready to go. The device won't unlock if you simply look at it. You will need to press the power button for the lockscreen to appear and only then would the phone unlock. The feature works fine but there were times when the phone took some time to recognise and unlock.

Convenient but not reliable

Another drawback of this feature which Xiaomi has also warned users from is its unreliability. Xiaomi says, "Face unlock is less secure than a PIN, password, or pattern. Your device might be unlocked with your photo, as well as by people or objects with similar appearance."

Security experts also advise using fingerprint sensor over facial recognition for smartphone security.

Xiaomi is among the few bringing 'Face Unlock' feature to the budget smartphone segment. Huawei also rolled out its 'Face Unlock' feature for its Honor 9 Lite smartphone. This feature comes as an over-the-air update. Honor 9 Lite starts at ₹10,999 for the base variant, and ₹14,999 for the top model.

Apple's iPhone X popularised the feature last year with Face ID. Although Xiaomi and Honor smartphones do not feature 3D sensing cameras to map one's facial data, it does the job of achieving facial recognition. At a similar price range, there's Oppo A83 smartphone as well with 'Face Unlock'.

Xiaomi had its first sale for the Redmi Note 5 Pro along with the Redmi Note 5 and Mi LED TV on February 22.