Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra May Challenge Apple’s Face ID with New ‘Polar ID’ Security System
Jakarta, Indonesia – Leaks suggest Samsung is developing a next-generation biometric security feature, dubbed “Polar ID,” for its upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra smartphone, perhaps offering a more secure and faster alternative to current facial recognition technology – and a direct competitor to Apple’s Face ID. The Galaxy S27 is currently slated for release in February 2026, but details are emerging now regarding its potential capabilities.
The rumored Polar ID system utilizes polarized light to authenticate users, according to tech leaker @SPYGO19726, based on internal records. This technology aims to address vulnerabilities in existing facial unlock methods and provide a higher level of security against refined spoofing attempts. The advancement underscores the ongoing arms race between smartphone manufacturers to deliver the most secure and user-friendly authentication experiences.
Polar ID is expected to integrate with the ISOCELL Vizion sensor on the galaxy S27 Ultra’s front-facing camera and will include a dedicated secure enclave for storing biometric data. Sources claim the system could unlock the device in approximately 180 milliseconds.
The technology originates from Metalenz, a Boston-based company specializing in optical metasurfaces. Metalenz asserts Polar ID is the first consumer imaging system capable of detecting all light polarization conditions, allowing it to capture a unique “polarization signature” of a human face. According to Metalenz, this makes the system exceptionally arduous to counterfeit, even with advanced 3D masks or facial faking tools, which the company claims can be “instantly detected as non-human.”
Rumors of Polar ID first surfaced over a year ago, initially linked to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, before being reportedly shifted to the S26 Ultra. The continued reappearance of the technology in leaks now points towards a likely debut on the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
