We put the Google Pixel Fold through our rigorous SBMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In this summary of results, we’ll analyze how it performed in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Main specifications of the display:
- 7.6-inch OLED (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
- Dimensions: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm (5.50 x 3.13 x 0.48 inch)
- Resolution: 1840 x 2208 pixels (~380 ppi density)
- Aspect Ratio: 6:5
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Pros
- Good color rendering in most lighting environments
- Well handled and enjoyable HDR10 video experience
- Brightness well managed in most of the conditions tested
Against
- Sometimes it lacks brightness after a few minutes in outdoor conditions
- Lacks fluency sometimes when browsing the web
The Google Pixel Fold performed superlatively in our display tests, earning the joint top spot in the SBMARK display rankings. The device leads all devices both in its Ultra-premium segment and in the entire database thanks to a very pleasant color rendition, a bright screen and good brightness and contrast adapted for HDR10 video content. In addition, the Pixel Fold benefits from excellent color management, with colors that stay true for both still and dynamic content.
The Pixel Fold offered smooth interactions in most uses, from gallery viewing to gaming; however, users may experience stuttering when browsing the web. As with other foldable phones, the device has been affected by a jello effect, a slight perceptible lag between the left and right sides of the display that can make content appear a bit “crooked”.
In a bright environment, reflections made the crease of the Fold visible. In sunny outdoor conditions, the display was difficult to read when the device’s high-brightness mode turned off after a few minutes.
Folding devices can offer multiple possibilities for folding at various angles. The Google Pixel Fold performed very well in these typical conditions, offering color shifts limited to only less than 30°, as well as maintaining 75% brightness on the 60° axis. It ensures a pleasant and comfortable experience even when folded in half.
With its ultra-high-quality display and compelling handling of aspects specifically related to foldable displays, the Google Pixel Fold offers the best experience we’ve seen to date for such formats.
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 a low light environment (0 lux).
From left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Readability in an indoor environment (1000 lux).
From left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Readability in an outdoor environment (20,000 lux).
From left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
In bright light, the Pixel Fold crease becomes more visible because reflections are more visible. Note that the fold of Pixel’s competitor, the Vivo X Fold, benefits from its anti-reflection film in this type of environment.
Readability in a sunlight environment (>90,000 lux).
From left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Readability at an angle of 45°
From left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Our engineers found a small uneven patch on the right side of the main screen, but the impact on the user experience was low.
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
Indoor color rendering (1000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Outdoor color rendering (20,000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Color rendering in sunlight (>90,000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Pixel Fold has very well tuned color management, adapting rendering to the color profile of the content. Some colors may appear a little saturated, but Google reproduces skin tones faithfully.
Color fidelity measurements
Google Pixel Fold, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the sRGB color space
Google Pixel Fold, 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.
The color changes on the corner start to be noticeable at about 25-30°. Above 30°, there is a pinkish color cast (seen in the illustration below) which then veers towards blue around 45°.
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.
Color shift on the corner
From left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
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.
Video rendering in a low light environment (0 lux).
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Clockwise from top left: Google Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, Vivo X Fold, Oppo Find N
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Furthermore, Google Pixel Fold automatically adapts its rendering to the color space of the video content.
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 evaluates the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.
Aliasing (foreground)
Google Pixel Fold
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
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