We put the Google Pixel 8 Pro through our rigorous SBMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In this summary of test results, we’ll break down how it performed in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key Display Specifications:
- 6.7-inch, 109.8 cm2 OLED (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
- Dimensions: 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 3.01 x 0.35 inches)
- Resolution: 1344 x 2992 pixels (~489 ppi density)
- Aspect ratio: 20:9
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
Pros
- Colors are well rendered in most conditions tested.
- The device is readable under all tested conditions.
- HDR10 video performance is pleasant.
- The device feels smooth and responsive when scrolling.
Against
- Darker details may be slightly low in low light.
- When holding the device with one hand you may experience unwanted touches on the edges with the palm of your hand.
- Aliasing is evident in video games.
Google Pixel 8 Pro is a very versatile phone that offers users a good viewing experience in all lighting conditions. Currently ranking first in the overall score, it leads all other phones in our database to date in two important subcategories: readability and color. Compared to previous generations of Google phones, the Pixel 8 Pro displays better peak brightness and improved colors and contrast in challenging environments, such as outdoors on a bright sunny day.
Test summary
About SBMARK display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphones and other display reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective and perceptual tests under controlled laboratory and real-life conditions. Please note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps with default settings. (For in-depth information on how we evaluate smartphones and other displays, see our articles “How SBMARK Tests Display Quality” and “A Closer Look at SBMARK Display Tests.”
The following section brings together key elements of our comprehensive testing and analysis performed in 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 fixed content (photos and web) on the display in various real-life conditions. SBMARK uses its display stand 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.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the most readable product in our database to date, even outdoors and in direct sunlight (which is a differentiator among today’s smartphones). When using automatic brightness in bright outdoor conditions, the maximum brightness achieved may vary depending on the content being viewed, meaning that the brighter the content being viewed, the lower the screen brightness. (This is the case for most devices that hit a high peak brightness.) We measured the Pixel 8 Pro’s peak brightness at 2100 nits in sunlight while viewing a typical photo. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max (for example) can achieve brightness comparable to that of the Pixel 8 Pro on dark content, the Apple device loses almost 50% of its brightness when viewing a web page, versus a loss of only 20% for the Google Device.
Readability in an indoor environment (1000 lux).
From left to right: Google Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Honor Magic5 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Readability in a sunny environment (>90,000 lux).
From left to right: Google Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Honor Magic5 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Readability of a web page in an environment exposed to sunlight (>90 000 lux).
From left to right: Google Pixel 8 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Measurement of luminance uniformity
This graph shows display uniformity with a gray pattern at 20%. The more visible the green color, the more uniform the display will be.
How the display color score is composed
The color attribute evaluates the device’s ability to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements taken concern fidelity, white point color and gamut coverage. We perform color evaluations 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 takes place compared to the reference model displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro delivered class-leading color performance. Tested in the default adaptive color mode, it delivers true-to-life skin tones in lighting conditions ranging from low light to outdoors, as well as nice, vivid rendering of photos overall. Angle shift is also well controlled. Despite a slight yellow-green cast on the outside, the color rendering of the Pixel is better than that of both of its competitors.
White point under D65 illuminant at 1000 lux
Indoor color rendering (1000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Honor Magic5 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Color rendering in sunlight (>90,000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Honor Magic5 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Color fidelity measurements
Google Pixel 8 Pro, color fidelity at 1000 lux in sRGB color
space
Google Pixel 8 Pro, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the Display-P3
color space
Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color model (arrow base) and its actual measurement (arrow tip). 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 expert 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 inside the inner circle show no color change in the corner; those between the inner and outer circles have changes that only trained experts will see; but those that fall outside the outer circle are noted.
How the Display Video score 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 meets artistic intent.
The Pixel 8 Pro offered a solid experience in HDR10 playback, with pleasant brightness and contrast rendition. The Samsung smartphone performed better, but only slightly, due to the Pixel’s lower brightness for SDR video in low light and slightly less visible detail on dark content when viewed in low light.
Video rendering in a low light environment (0 lux).
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Honor Magic5 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Honor Magic5 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
We compared the video color performance of the Google Pixel 8 Pro with our professional reference monitor. The base of the arrows in the graph below corresponds to the measurement taken on the reference monitor and the tip is the same area measured on the device. Rendering is close to the reference monitor, with a slight shift towards green on darker shades.”
Left: region of interest measured in the video. Right: Google Pixel 8 Pro results
Gamut 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 reproduce. To meet artistic intent, the measured gamma must match the primary color space of each video.
How the Display Motion Score is composed
The motion attribute evaluates dynamic content handling. Dropped frames, motion blur, and playback artifacts are examined using games and videos.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro showed no frame drops during testing; however, there were some slight discrepancies between frames when playing video games.
Dropped video frames
These long exposure photos have the number of frame irregularities in a 30 second video. Good performance shows a regular pattern (a flat gray image or a drop-down pattern).
How the Display Touch score is composed
The Google Pixel 8 Pro had a great touch response time. While it sometimes lacked smoothness when playing video games, its 120Hz provided very smooth web browsing and the device has better accuracy in corners.
This response time test accurately evaluates the time that elapses between a single touch 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 for performance, image rendering, and motion defects that can impact the end-user experience. SBMARK precisely measures device reflectance and the presence of flicker, and evaluates the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other features.
The flicker level of the Google Pixel 8 Pro is similar to that of Apple and Samsung smartphones.
Aliasing (foreground)
Google Pixel 8 Pro
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Google Pixel 8 Pro – Crop 1
Google Pixel 8 Pro – Crop 2
Google Pixel 8 Pro – Crop 3
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