Google Pixel 6a excels in early camera and display tests

DxOMark has provided its thoughts on the Google Pixel 6A, Google’s latest mid-range smartphone. Supposedly, the Pixel 6a’s cameras punch above their weight and only just fall short of the Pixel 6. The Pixel 6a is said to offer a class-leading display too, even with a 1080p resolution and a 60 Hz refresh rate.

The Pixel 6a has now received its first round of reviews, with Google having started shipping the handset last week. While some reviews have criticised the Pixel 6a in some areas, DxOMark considers the mid-range smartphone almost as good as the Google Pixel 6 in important aspects. In short, the Pixel 6a not only delivers excellent camera performance for its price, but it also delivers impressive display quality.

In DxOMark’s overall camera rating, the Google Pixel 6a scored 130 points, 21st in the website’s overall ranking. For context, the Pixel 6a ties with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, which all feature variations of the same camera sensors. DxOMark considers the Pixel 6a’s cameras only second to those in the Pixel 6 for smartphones that cost between US$400 and US$600 too.

Unfortunately, the Pixel 6a’s front-facing camera is not up to the quality of its rear-facing counterparts. Specifically, the front-facing camera scored 86 points, ranking it 49th overall and putting it on par with the OnePlus 7 Pro. Overall, DxOMark states that the Pixel 6a’s rear-facing cameras deliver ‘very good overall photo and video quality for the price’, despite the use of the well-worn Sony IMX363 camera sensor.

Similarly, the Pixel 6a’s display scored 86 points in DxOMark’s tests, resulting in a ‘Silver Display’ award. Although the display received criticism for its 60 Hz refresh rate, the OLED display is claimed to provide decent colour reproduction, as well as delivering solid readability under most test conditions. Bright sunlight is the exception here, where the Pixel 6a falls flat. Still, the Pixel 6a ties with its bigger sibling here, which is might impressive considering the price difference.