SwitchBot just made smart locks even smarter. The company’s new Smart Lock Pro ditches the usual keypad or phone tap. Instead, it uses Apple’s Face ID to unlock your door. That’s right—your face is the key. And unlike other smart locks, you don’t need to pull out your phone. Just walk up and it recognizes you instantly.

The lock costs $149 and works with Apple’s HomeKit, so it fits right into your iPhone ecosystem. If you’re not an Apple user, it also supports fingerprint unlocking and a traditional keypad. Setup takes about 15 minutes: swap out your old deadbolt, screw in the new one, and sync it with the SwitchBot app. The app lets you add up to 200 face profiles for family, roommates, or frequent visitors.

How it beats other smart locks

SwitchBot isn’t the first to offer facial recognition, but it’s the first to skip the phone requirement. Most smart locks that use Face ID or similar tech still need your phone nearby to confirm your identity. This one doesn’t. It runs on a built-in battery that lasts about six months on a charge—longer if you use it less. When the battery dies, you can still unlock the door with a key or the emergency keypad.

The lock also logs every entry and exit, which you can check in the app. That’s handy if you want to see who’s coming and going or if you suspect someone’s using a spare key without permission. It works with most standard doors too, as long as they’re not double-cylinder or have a smart deadbolt already installed.

Who should buy this

If you’re already locked into Apple’s ecosystem, this is a no-brainer upgrade. HomeKit users will appreciate the seamless integration, and anyone tired of fumbling for keys or phones will love the convenience. But if you’re on Android or don’t use smart home tech, this lock won’t help much. It’s also not the best choice for renters, since it requires replacing the deadbolt.

SwitchBot says the lock is available now on its website and at select retailers like Best Buy. That’s good news for early adopters, but expect demand to be high. It’s a smart product with a price that matches its polish.

What’s next for smart locks

This isn’t the first time facial recognition has been used in smart locks, but it’s the first time it’s been this seamless. Other companies like Yale and Schlage have offered face unlocking, but they still rely on your phone to confirm your identity. SwitchBot’s approach cuts out that extra step, which feels like the future of convenience.

We’ll likely see more smart locks adopt this kind of standalone facial recognition in the coming years. For now, SwitchBot’s Smart Lock Pro sets a new bar for ease of use. It’s not cheap, but if you value speed and simplicity, it’s worth every penny.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: CNET
  • Published: May 15, 2026 at 23:44 UTC
  • Category: Technology
  • Topics: #cnet · #tech · #reviews · #switch · #uses-face · #unlock-your-door

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 15, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O Brasil pode em breve ganhar uma solução ainda mais prática para quem busca segurança inteligente sem abrir mão da praticidade: a SwitchBot lançou um cadeado inteligente que usa o Face ID para destravar portas, dispensando o uso do celular. A novidade, que já está disponível em outros mercados, promete revolucionar a forma como interagimos com nossas casas, combinando tecnologia de reconhecimento facial com a praticidade de um dispositivo autônomo.

O lançamento chega em um momento em que o mercado de automação residencial no Brasil cresce a passos largos, impulsionado pela busca por soluções mais seguras e integradas — especialmente em um país onde a preocupação com segurança é constante. Compatível com iOS e integrado ao HomeKit, o dispositivo da SwitchBot se destaca por sua simplicidade: basta um olhar para a câmera do aparelho para ter a porta destravada, sem depender do smartphone. O preço de US$ 149 (cerca de R$ 750 na cotação atual) pode ser um atrativo para quem já investe em ecossistemas Apple ou busca alternativas aos cadeados convencionais.

A expectativa agora é de que a empresa amplie a disponibilidade do produto para o Brasil, onde a demanda por tecnologia de segurança avançada só tende a crescer.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

La innovación en cerraduras inteligentes alcanza un nuevo hito con el lanzamiento de un dispositivo que prescinde del teléfono para abrir la puerta: el SwitchBot Smart Lock, que emplea el reconocimiento facial de Apple como llave digital.

Este modelo, compatible con iOS y HomeKit, promete simplificar el acceso a los hogares mediante Face ID, evitando la dependencia del smartphone. Con un precio de 149 dólares, representa una solución práctica para quienes buscan comodidad sin sacrificar seguridad. Para los usuarios hispanohablantes, su relevancia radica en la integración con ecosistemas tecnológicos ampliamente adoptados, como los de Apple, y en la posibilidad de modernizar viviendas con un sistema accesible y compatible con estándares globales.