We put the Google Pixel 7 through our rigorous DXOMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In this test summary, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key display specifications:
- 6.32 inches OLED (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
- Dimensions: 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm (6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, (~416 ppi density)
- Refresh rate: 90 Hz
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Pros
- Well-managed and pleasant HDR10 video experience
- The device shows good color fidelity in most lighting environments
- Brightness is well managed in low light and indoor conditions
Cons
- Device sometimes lacks brightness in outdoor conditions
- Device lacks smoothness at times when playing video games
- Colors shift from pink to blue alternatively with respect to the angle
Though it is not quite on par with the Google Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 7’s performance is nonetheless head and shoulders above that of many other devices — and in fact, as of this writing, it is in first place among all devices in the High-end category, and is in the Top 10 among all tested phones in the DXOMARK database.
The Google Pixel 7 matches the Pixel 7 Pro in its handling of HDR10 video content, with both devices achieving very good adapted brightness and contrast, thus providing a pleasant viewing experience. While both Google phones handle frame drops well, the Pixel 7 comes out ahead of its larger sibling in the motion attribute, as no stutters are visible on the smaller device when gaming. For all other attributes, however, the Pixel 7 lags behind the Pro version, particularly in terms of color on angle and touch. That said, the Pixel 7 performs very well considering its segment, even outperforming the iPhone 14, even if the Apple product is in the Premium segment.
Test summary
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. 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.”
The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations under the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Readability
Google Pixel 7
164
Readability evaluates how easily and comfortably users can read still content (photos & web) on the display under different real-life conditions. DXOMARK 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 made in real-life environments.
The Google Pixel 7’s brightness provides very good readability in indoor conditions. Its adaptation to changes in ambient lighting is smooth, and readability is preserved when viewed on angle.
Brightness is adapted at 0 lux, though at a lower limit for the Pixel 7 than for the Pixel 6. The Pixel 7 shows the same behavior as the Pro version under challenging conditions — that is, brightness reaches 1000 nits (versus up to 2000 nits for the 7 Pro), but quickly drops, thereby strongly degrading readability.
From left: Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 6, Apple iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
Like the Pro version, the Google Pixel 7 shows excellent brightness and color uniformity.
Color
Google Pixel 7
165
The color attribute evaluates the capacity of the device to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements taken are for fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color evaluations for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can manage color in the surrounding environment. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. Perceptual analysis of color rendering is against the reference pattern displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
Color measurements for the Google Pixel 7 are close to those of the reference target, and the device adapts its color gamut to image content. Unlike the iPhone, however, the Pixel 7 does not adapt its white point to the lighting environment.
The biggest color-related problem on the Pixel 7 is that it shows alternating pink and blue stripes as the viewing angle changes, as seen in the photo below and the graph.
Video
Google Pixel 7
165
Our video attribute evaluates the Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling of each device in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis against our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure that the rendering respects the artistic intent.
The Pixel 7’s high score for Video matches that of the Pro version, as both devices demonstrate finely tuned tone mapping, adapted brightness, and accurate colors on HDR10 content. However, users might want to boost brightness for SDR content to better enjoy their entertainment.
Quantization is sometimes visible on both the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 6, as exemplified by the halos around the sun in these screen grabs from an HDR10 video.
Colors are accurate in HDR10, although the Pixel 7 sometimes renders skin tones slightly green.
Motion
Google Pixel 7
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic contents. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are scrutinized using games and videos.
The Google Pixel 7 manages frame drops very well for FHD and UHD videos, and unlike the Pro version, no stutters are visible when playing video games. But like the Pro version, long pauses occur when resuming play of downloaded videos.
Touch
Google Pixel 7
164
To evaluate touch, DXOMARK uses a touch robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a set of scenarios for smoothness, accuracy and response-time evaluation.
Touch is easy and accurate on the Pixel 7, even on edges and corners. It feels smooth when browsing the web and when scrolling through photos, but not quite as smooth as the Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon). Like its larger sibling, the Pixel 7 lacks smoothness when playing video games compared to the Pixel 6, when tested on the Asphalt 9 Legends game.
Google Pixel 7Artifacts
Evaluating artifacts means checking for the performance, image rendering and motion flaws that can affect the end-user experience. DXOMARK measures precisely the device’s reflectance and the presence of flicker, and assesses the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.
The Pixel 7 manages judder well, but as with the Pixel 7 Pro, judder is noticeable at 24 fps. The Pixel 7 handles accidental touches well, and even though the device handles flicker better than the Pro version, it is still present.
Aliasing is just as visible on the Pixel 7 as it is on the Pixel 7 Pro.
DXOMARK encourages its readers to share comments on the articles. To read or post comments, Disqus cookies are required. Change your Cookies Preferences and read more about our Comment Policy.