The Google Pixel 6 appeared on the market at the end of October 2021. We present here some of its key results in our comprehensive Display protocol tests.
Key display specifications:
- 6.4-inch OLED screen
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 (411 ppi)
- Aspect ratio: 20:9
- Refresh rate: 90 Hz
About DXOMARK Display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective and perceptual tests under controlled lab and real-life conditions. This article highlights the most important results of our testing. Note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps at their default settings. (For in-depth information about how we evaluate smartphone and other displays, check out our articles, “How DXOMARK tests display quality” and “A closer look at DXOMARK Display testing.”)
Test summary
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Google Pixel 6
125
display
129
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Best: Samsung Galaxy S24+ (163)
136
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best: Google Pixel 8 Pro (164)
110
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
Best: Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon) (162)
119
Honor Magic6 Pro
Best: Honor Magic6 Pro (159)
134
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Best: Samsung Galaxy S24+ (170)
109
OnePlus Open
Best: OnePlus Open (163)
Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Position in Global Ranking
97
th
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
155
7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
152
11. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
149
11. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
149
11. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
149
16. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
148
16. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
148
20. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (Snapdragon)
146
23. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
145
28. Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
141
30. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
140
43. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
136
46. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
135
51. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
134
51. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
134
51. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
134
51. Vivo X80 Pro (MediaTek)
134
58. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
133
58. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
58. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
133
58. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
133
65. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
131
65. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
131
69. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
76. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
129
76. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
129
85. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
128
85. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
128
85. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
128
90. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
127
97. Vivo X70 Pro (MediaTek)
125
97. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
125
113. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
123
113. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
123
113. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G
123
118. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
122
118. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
122
124. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
120
128. Motorola Edge 40 Pro
118
131. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
117
135. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
116
140. Motorola Edge 20 Pro
111
140. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
111
144. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
110
150. Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming
107
152. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro
105
153. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
104
161. Microsoft Surface Duo
99
163. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
97
164. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
95
172. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
74
173. Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro
69
175. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro
60
Position in High-End Ranking
11
th
15. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G
123
16. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
122
17. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
120
23. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
111
26. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
110
28. Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming
107
30. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
104
Pros
- Brightness is acceptable in most tested conditions
- Particularly faithful colors in low light and indoor conditions
- Smooth when playing video games
- Well-managed judder and frame drops when watching videos
Cons
- Low brightness when watching HDR10 content
- Visible steps during adaptation to changes in lighting environment
- Lacks color and brightness uniformity
Like its larger Pro sibling, the Google Pixel 6 is well adapted to most uses. Colors are faithful, gaming and scrolling are smooth, and brightness is suitable for most environments. Its main drawback is that its default brightness is too low when watching HDR10 videos. Further, video playback takes too long to resume after moving forward or backwards in the timeline.
The main differences between the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro is size (with proportionately different screen-to-body ratios), less screen brightness and color uniformity on the Pixel 6, visible pink and blue stripes when holding the Pixel 6 on angle, and different refresh rates (90 Hz and 120 Hz, respectively). All of these factors added up to a score for the Pixel 6 that trails the 6 Pro’s by a few points.
Brightness vs Contrast comparison (0 Lux)
Brightness vs Contrast comparison (30 000 Lux)
In terms of readability, the Google Pixel 6 display is comfortably bright in low-light environments and in indoor conditions. Its brightness has been measured at 1100 cd/m2 under sunlight, but this is nonetheless too low to offer pleasant readability under that condition.
Indoor brightness, from left to right: Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, Apple iPhone 13
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
Uniformity of brightness and color is an issue. As seen in the illustrative photo below, the Pixel 6 (left) shows reddish and greenish areas that correspond to darker and lighter areas on its screen.
Brightness and color uniformity, from left to right: Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, Apple iPhone 13
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
Although a yellowish cast can be noticeable when looking at content outdoors, colors are accurate on the Pixel 6 under other conditions, including indoors (as illustrated below).
Indoor color, clockwise from left: Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, Apple iPhone 13
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
The chart on the left shows the Google Pixel 6’s color fidelity in the P3 color space. The center of each circle in the chart is the target color; the further the tip of the arrow is outside of the circle, the more users will notice the difference between the color on the display and the original color of the source material. The scatter chart on the right shows how the Google device first alternates between blue and pink, then becomes green-blue as the viewing angle increases.
Google Pixel 6, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the P3 color space
Google Pixel 6, scatter graph of white point on angle
When viewed at an angle, as illustrated below, the Pixel 6 shows alternating pink and blue stripes that become more noticeable as the angle increases.
Google Pixel 6 color non-uniformity, on axis (left) and on angle (right).
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
The Google Pixel 6’s brightness is low when watching HDR10 content, with midtones impacted and darker details barely visible.
Video brightness, clockwise from left: Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, Apple iPhone 13
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
The Google Pixel 6’s video color is accurate; by comparison, the Samsung device shows a reddish cast.
Video color, from left to right: Google Pixel 6, Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
The Google Pixel 6 manages motion blur well. Videos can take long to resume play after moving backwards or forwards in the timeline; moreover, there is a slight but noticeable jump backwards before video play resumes.
The Google Pixel 6’s zoom is accurate but capped. Playing video games is comfortable and every part of the screen is easy to select. The device is smooth when browsing, even though some frame drops are sometimes noticeable. The device manages judder well. Some ghost touches occur from time to time, especially when the device is held in landscape orientation.
As you can see in the comparison photos below, aliasing is noticeable on the Google Pixel 6 when playing video games. The Apple device’s rendering of contoured lines is much smoother.
Google Pixel 6, closeup of aliasing
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, closeup of aliasing
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
Apple iPhone 13, closeup of aliasing
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
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