The iPhone X completely altered how users interact with the device by removing the home button that had become a staple of the product line.

The removal of the Touch ID sensor meant the tech giant had to find a new way to allow users to seamlessly unlock their device.

Face ID was introduced and utilises the front facing True Depth camera sensor to scan the user’s face instantaneously.

But now Chinese manufacturer Vivo has announced a new 3D depth-sensing system that attempts to fight back against the Cupertino-based company.

The Android phone maker claims to have put together detection technology with 300,000 sensor points.

Such a number is 10 times the amount present on the iPhone X.

Vivo’s technology will send out a beam of light before calculating the time it takes to hit the object and bounce back to the camera sensor.

The “time of flight” (TOF) measured will allow the system to provide 3D mapping at a distance up to three metres from the smartphone, the company claims.

Such a system could allow for even faster and more accurate face unlocking in addition to new augmented reality features.

Vivo showed off the technology at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Shanghai this week.

Alex Feng, a senior executive at the Chinese firm, insisted the new system will allow for a “better future” for users.

He said: “By combining TOF 3D Sensing Technology with artificial intelligence, we will continue to explore new possibilities for a better future.”

Vivo has stated its new sensor promises “this is no mere proof of concept”.

However the manufacturer is yet to provide a timeline for the system’s rollout in a smartphone.

Although the Chinese firm is attempting to take on iPhone X’s best feature, Express.co.uk still believes the Apple flagship offers the most seamless face detection experience.

In our review we said the setup process was “very easy and quick with users simply following the on-screen instructions to have their face scanned” and insisted a simple swipe is all it takes to unlock the premium smartphone.

Although we admitted the phone does not unlock at the “odd time”, we were very impressed with Face ID and labelled it a “huge success”.