One of the new specifications that will debut on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a Face Unlock screen that allows users to access their smartphone using facial recognition.

However, developers have discovered what could be a serious security flaw in the lock screen. Industry Insiders proposed that the Face Unlock screen could easily be tricked into granting access to a phone by simply using a photograph of the user.

Malaysian technology website SoyaCincau was able to demonstrate the flaw at a regional launch for the Samsung Galaxy Note tablet.

The developer took a photo of him using the Galaxy Note tablet and put it screen-to-screen with a Galaxy Nexus smartphone he had programmed with his face recognition. During several attempts, the developer was able to access the phone using a still image.

Several developers reported trouble using Face Unlock. Many noted that even Google's Director of Products for Android Hugo Barra had trouble accessing a programmed Galaxy Nexus at the "Samsung Unlocked: Google Episode" media event Oct. 19.

However, insiders also noted that Face Unlock is still being developed and should become more sophisticated with future versions.

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GSM Arena suggested that Android should label Face Unlock as a beta version at its launch, until a more stable version is developed, while Phandroid suggested that Face Unlock is not intended to be a state-of-the-art security feature.

"No fool would think Face Unlock is about security... It’s about quick and easy unlocking. That’s it," Phandroid said.