Today, SwitchBot announced the new SwitchBot Lock Vision and Lock Vision Pro. For Apple Home users, these new locks support Matter over Wi-Fi out of the box, so you don’t need to buy one of these SwitchBot hubs to connect them, but you only need an Apple TV or HomePod. Let’s take a closer look at what these new smart locks do and don’t do
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Biometrics and facial recognition
Aside from native Apple Home support, the main feature of the new Lock Vision series is 3D facial recognition. The SwitchBot Lock Vision projects over 20,000 infrared dots to create an accurate 3D depth map of your face, preventing someone from spoofing the camera with a photo or video. SwitchBot claims the system unlocks the door in less than a second and can recognize users even if they wear glasses, hats, wigs or heavy makeup. All biometric data is stored locally, encrypted with AES-128 for added privacy.
If you want even more unlocking options, the Lock Vision Pro model includes everything the standard version does, plus solid-state fingerprint recognition and contactless palm scanning. The palm vein scanner uses near-infrared sensing technology to read vascular patterns inside your hand without you ever having to touch the device.
A dual battery system and mmWave radar
In terms of power, SwitchBot included a dual-power, dual-pack system to ensure continuous access. A 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery allows for daily use and SwitchBot says it should last up to 12 months on a full charge under typical conditions. A secondary CR123A battery inside the lock takes over if the primary battery dies, providing up to 500 emergency unlocks. If both internal batteries somehow die while you’re away from home, there’s a USB-C port on the exterior hardware to provide temporary power using a power brick, etc.
In order to maximize battery life, the SwitchBot Lock Vision uses mmWave radar. This ensures that the lock activates its biometric analysis only when someone physically approaches the door, saving energy.
Wi-Fi integration question
As I mentioned at the start, both locks in the Lock Vision series support Matter over Wi-Fi. This is a huge win for Apple Home users. Instead of bridging the lock through a secondary hub, you simply need an Apple TV or HomePod. The lock also supports alternative unlocking methods such as NFC cards, passcodes, automatic unlocking via geolocation and a physical key.
Lock Vision vs. Lock Vision Pro and conclusion
If you’re trying to decide which model to buy, basic features like the large battery, Matter over Wi-Fi support, and 3D facial recognition are identical on both locks. The Pro model simply justifies its higher price by adding two additional biometric options.
- SwitchBot Lock Vision ($169.99): Includes 3D facial recognition, passcodes, NFC cards and Apple Home support.
- SwitchBot Lock Vision Pro ($229.99): Includes everything standard, plus solid-state fingerprint recognition and contactless palm scanning.
SwitchBot checks a lot of boxes here. The only thing missing is support for Apple Home Key.
The SwitchBot Lock Vision costs $169.99, while the upgraded Lock Vision Pro costs $229.99. Both models are officially available starting today on Amazon with launch day deals available.
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