We subjected the Google Pixel 6a to our rigorous SBMARK Display test suite to measure its performance Cons six criteria. In this test results summary, we break down how it fared across a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Main display specifications:
- 6.1-inch, 109.8 cm2 OLED (~ 84.3% screen-to-body ratio)
- Dimensions: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 inches)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, (~ 429 ppi density)
- Proportions: 20: 9
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
Pros
- Brightness acceptable under most conditions tested
- The device is quite smooth when playing video games.
- Well managed judder and frame drop when watching video
versus
- Low brightness when watching HDR10 content
- Visible steps when adapting to changes in the lighting environment
- Lack of uniformity of color and brightness
The Google Pixel 6a offers well-balanced performance, with good color rendering and good readability in most conditions, except in very bright sunlight, where it is barely legible. While its touch is accurate, the Pixel 6a’s 60Hz refresh rate offers a less smooth experience when scrolling through the gallery and browsing the web than the Pixel 6 (90Hz), but gaming was unaffected. and it had a pleasantly smooth feel. However, players may notice stuttering while playing.
When the device is set to automatic brightness, users watching HDR video in low light conditions on the Pixel 6a may need to manually adjust the display to ensure an enjoyable viewing experience.
Test summary
Learn about SBMARK visualization tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective and perceptual tests in controlled laboratory and under real-life conditions. Please note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and related still image (gallery) and video apps with default settings. (For in-depth information on how we rate smartphones and other displays, see our articles, “How SBMARK Checks Display Quality” and “A Closer Look at SBMARK Display Tests”.
The following section collects the key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyzes performed in SBMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations in the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
How the screen readability score is composed
Readability evaluates the ease and comfort with which users can read stationary content (photos and web) on the display under various real-life conditions. SBMARK uses its Display Bench to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests, perceptual analysis is also carried out in real-life environments.
Readability in an indoor environment (1000 lux).
Left to right: Google Pixel 6a, Google Pixel 6, Samsung A53 5G, Oppo Find X5 Lite
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Readability in a sunlight environment (> 90 0000 lux).
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Measurement of luminance uniformity
This graph shows the uniformity of the display with a gray pattern of 20%. The more green the color is visible, the smoother the display.
How the Display Color score is composed
The color attribute evaluates the device’s ability to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements made are for fidelity, white point color and gamma coverage. We perform color assessments for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can handle color in its surroundings. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. The perceptual analysis of the color rendering is compared to the reference model displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
White point under illuminant D65 at 1000 lux
Color fidelity measurements
Google Pixel 6a, 1000 lux color fidelity in the sRGB color space
Google Pixel 6a, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the DCI-P3 color space
Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color model (arrow base) and its actual measurement (arrowhead). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference. If the arrow remains inside the circle, the color difference will only be visible to trained eyes.
Behavior of the color on the corner
This graph shows the color shift when the screen is tilted. Each point represents a measurement with a particular angle. The points inside the inner circle show no color change in the corner; those between the inner and outer circle have shifts that only trained experts will see; but those who fall outside the outer circle are noted.
How the Display Video score is composed
Our video attribute evaluates the Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling of each device indoors and in low-light conditions. We measure the tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis Cons our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure that the rendering respects the artistic intent.
Video rendering in a low light environment (0 lux).
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel 6a, Google Pixel 6, Oppo Find X5 Lite (Samsung Galaxy A53 5G cannot read HDR10 content.)
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Range coverage for video content
Primary colors are measured in both HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of the color area that the device can render. To respect the artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the main color space of each video.
How the score of Display Motion is composed
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic content. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are investigated using games and videos.
The video frame drops
These long exposure photos present the number of frame irregularities in a 30 second video. A good performance shows a regular pattern (a flat gray image or a drop-down pattern).
How the Display Touch score is composed
To evaluate touch, SBMARK uses a touch robot and a high-speed camera to reproduce and record a series of scenarios for the evaluation of fluidity, accuracy and response time.
This response time test accurately evaluates the time elapsed between a single tap of the robot on the screen and the displayed action. This test is applied to activities that require high responsiveness, such as play.
How the Display Artifacts score is composed
Evaluating artifacts means checking performance, image rendering, and motion defects that can affect the end-user experience. SBMARK accurately measures device reflectance and flickering and evaluates the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.
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