We put the Nothing Phone (1) through our rigorous SBMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In the results of this test, we’ll analyze how it performed in a variety of tests and several common use cases.

Overview

Main specifications of the display:

  • 6.55-inch OLED, (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)
  • Dimensions: 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 inch)
  • Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, (~402 ppi density)
  • Proportions: none
  • Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Pros

  • Smooth and precise touch while browsing, viewing gallery app and playing game
  • Good brightness in dimly lit environments
  • Good color rendering in indoor and outdoor lighting conditions

Against

  • Lack of brightness and legibility in outdoor lighting conditions
  • Lack of uniformity of the screen in terms of brightness and color
  • Frequent and visible image stuttering while playing a video game

The display performance of the Nothing Phone (1) was smooth, accurate and responsive, providing a comfortable touch experience when browsing the web or using social media.

Readability was affected by the display’s lack of uniformity in color and brightness. In bright sunlight, in particular, the screen lacked the brightness needed to be readable.

The gaming experience was hampered by the display image stuttering, which would have disrupted the smoothness of the game.

Trial summary

Learn about SBMARK display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective and perceptual tests under real-life and controlled laboratory conditions. Please note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still images (gallery) and video apps with default settings. (For in-depth information on how we rate smartphones and other displays, check out our articles, “How SBMARK Tests Display Quality” and “A Closer Look at SBMARK Display Tests.”

The following section compiles the key elements of our extensive testing and analysis performed in the SBMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations in the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.

How the display readability score is composed

Readability evaluates the ease and comfort with which users can read the still 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 performed in real-life environments.

Readability in an indoor environment (1000 lux).

From left: Nothing Phone (1), Google Pixel 6a, Samsung A53 5G

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

Readability in a sunlight environment (>90,000 lux).

From left: Nothing Phone (1), Google Pixel 6a, Samsung A53 5G

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

Measurement of luminance uniformity

This graph shows display smoothness with a 20% gray pattern. The more visible the green color, the smoother the display.

How the Display Color score is composed

The color attribute evaluates the device’s ability to faithfully reproduce colors. Measurements taken include fidelity, white point color, and gamut 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 compares with the reference model displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.

White point with illuminant D65 at 1000 lux

Color rendering in sunlight (>90,000 lux)

Clockwise from top left: Nothing Phone (1), Google Pixel 6a, Samsung A53 5G

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

Color fidelity measurements

Nothing Phone(1), 1000 lux color fidelity in the sRGB color space

No Phone(1), color fidelity at 1000 lux in Display-P3 color space

Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color pattern (arrow base) and its actual measurement (arrow tip). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference. If the arrow stays inside the circle, the color difference will only be visible to trained eyes.

Color behavior on the corner

This graph shows the color shift when the screen is tilted. Each point represents a measurement at a particular angle. The dots within 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 which fall outside the outer circle are evident.

How the soundtrack of the Display Video is composed

Our video attribute evaluates each device’s Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling in indoor and 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 rendering respects artistic intent.

Gamut coverage for video content

Primary colors are measured in both HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of color area that the device can render. To meet artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the primary color space of each video.

How the Display Motion score is composed

The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic content. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are examined using games and videos.

The video frame drops

These long exposure photos feature the number of frame irregularities in a 30 second video. Good performance shows a regular pattern (a flat gray image or a pull-down pattern).

How the Display Touch score is composed

To evaluate touch, SBMARK uses a haptic robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a series of scenarios for fluency, accuracy, and response time evaluation.

This response time test accurately evaluates the time 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 gaming.

How the display artifact score is composed

Evaluating artifacts means checking performance, image rendering, and motion artifacts that can impact the end-user experience. SBMARK accurately measures device reflectance and flicker, and assesses the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.

Aliasing (foreground)

No Phone (1)

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

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Philip Owell

Professional blogger, here to bring you new and interesting content every time you visit our blog.