An Analysis of the Usability of Face ID

Since its introduction to the iPhone X in 2017, Apple’s Face ID has been regarded as more accurate than facial recognition systems used by their competitors due to the use of depth information and infrared images to capture accurate face data. The goal of this thesis is to explore the usability of current smartphone facial recognition systems as represented by the latest generation of Apple’s Face ID. To that end, a research study was conducted to test the usability of Apple’s Face ID on the iPhone XR under diverse, simulated conditions designed to replicate real-life scenarios under which a consumer may need to use Face ID. The goal of the study was to make observations on Face ID usability and create a preliminary understanding of areas in which technology may struggle and/or fail. From the results of the research study, Face ID on the iPhone XR generally performed well under low-light conditions and adapted to minor changes in the conditions under which a face capture is done, but did not do as well when the user did not maintain full eye contact with the camera or when the capture is done at an angle.