Google Pixel 6 Pro Camera review: A big leap in image quality – DXOMARK
The Pixel 6 Pro is the 2021 flagship in Google’s Pixel line of smartphone, featuring a 6.7-inch OLED LTPO display with 120Hz refresh rate and QHD+ resolution, Google’s brand new in-house-developed Tensor chipset and up to 512GB of ROM.
It is also the first Pixel phone to feature a triple camera with ultra-wide and tele modules accompanying the primary shooter. At 1/1.31″ the image sensor in the latter is almost twice the size of its equivalent in the Pixel 5 generation and offers a 50 MP resolution that is downsampled to 12.5 MP for the final output image. Landscape photographers and other wide-angle shooters can rely on an ultra-wide module with a 16mm-equivalent field of view, and a 4x tele lens allows you to zoom into your subjects from a distance.
Let’s see how the Google Pixel 6 Pro performed in the DXOMARK Camera test.
Key camera specifications:
- Primary: 50 MP 1/1.31″ sensor, 1.2µm pixels, 24 mm equivalent f/1.85-aperture lens, OIS, Dual PDAF
- Ultra-wide: 12.5 MP 1/2.86″ sensor, 1.25μm pixels, 16mm equivalent f/2.2-aperture lens
- Tele: 48 MP 1/2.0″ sensor, 0.80μm pixels, 102.6mm equivalent (4x) f/3.5-aperture lens, OIS, PDAF
- LDAF (laser detection autofocus) sensor
- LED Flash
- 4K at 30/60fps (4K/30fps tested)
About DXOMARK Camera tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone camera reviews, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 3000 test images and more than 2.5 hours of video both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. This article is designed to highlight the most important results of our testing. For more information about the DXOMARK Camera test protocol, click here. More details on how we score smartphone cameras are available here.
Mục lục
Test summary
Google Pixel 6 Pro
135
camera
143
Photo
Exposure
104
111
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (111)
Color
107
Autofocus
99
109
Best: Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders (109)
Texture
107
111
Best: Xiaomi Mi 11 (111)
Noise
85
102
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (102)
Artifacts
75
77
Best: Google Pixel 6 (77)
Night
67
82
Best: Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ (82)
Bokeh
65
80
Best: Huawei P50 Pro (80)
Preview
63
80
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (80)
71
Zoom
Tele
93
140
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (140)
Wide
38
58
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (58)
115
Video
Exposure
105
118
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (118)
Color
104
107
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (107)
Autofocus
103
109
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (109)
Texture
88
99
Best: Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon) (99)
Noise
95
105
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (105)
Artifacts
78
85
Best: Xiaomi 12S Ultra (85)
Stabilization
103
9th
Position in Global Ranking
1. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
146
2. Huawei P50 Pro
144
3. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
143
4. Huawei Mate 40 Pro+
139
5. Xiaomi 12S Ultra
138
6. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
137
6. Apple iPhone 13 Pro
137
8. Huawei Mate 40 Pro
136
9. Google Pixel 6 Pro
135
9. Vivo X70 Pro+
135
11. Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders
133
11. Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra
133
13. Google Pixel 6
132
13. Huawei P40 Pro
132
15. Honor Magic4 Pro
131
15. Oppo Find X3 Pro
131
15. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
131
15. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
131
15. Vivo X70 Pro (MediaTek)
131
15. Vivo X50 Pro+
131
15. Xiaomi 12 Pro
131
22. Apple iPhone 13 mini
130
22. Apple iPhone 13
130
22. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
130
22. Google Pixel 6a
130
22. Oppo Find X5 Pro
130
27. Apple iPhone 12 Pro
128
27. Vivo X60 Pro+
128
27. Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro
128
27. Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
128
31. OnePlus 10 Pro
127
32. Oppo Find X2 Pro
126
32. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
126
32. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
126
32. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
126
36. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
124
36. OnePlus 9 Pro
124
36. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
124
39. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
123
39. Xiaomi 12
123
41. Apple iPhone 12 mini
122
41. Apple iPhone 12
122
41. Oppo Find X5
122
44. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
121
44. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
121
46. Asus Zenfone 8
120
46. Google Pixel 5
120
46. Realme GT 2 Pro
120
46. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
120
46. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
120
46. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (Exynos)
120
46. Samsung Galaxy Note20 (Exynos)
120
46. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
120
46. Xiaomi Mi 11
120
55. Apple iPhone 11
119
55. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (Snapdragon)
119
55. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)
119
58. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
118
58. Asus Zenfone 8 Flip
118
58. OnePlus 8 Pro
118
58. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
118
58. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Exynos)
118
58. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
118
64. Motorola Edge+
117
64. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
117
64. TCL 20 Pro 5G
117
64. Xiaomi 11T Pro
117
68. OnePlus Nord 2 5G
116
68. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (Exynos)
116
68. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos)
116
68. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G (Exynos)
116
72. OnePlus 9
115
72. Oppo Reno 10x Zoom
115
72. Oppo Find X3 Neo
115
72. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Exynos)
115
72. Sony Xperia 1 III
115
77. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
114
77. Vivo X51 5G
114
79. Google Pixel 4
113
80. Black Shark 4S Pro
112
80. Huawei P40
112
80. Oppo Reno5 Pro+ 5G
112
80. Samsung Galaxy Note20 (Snapdragon)
112
80. Sony Xperia 1 II
112
85. Google Pixel 4a
111
85. OnePlus 8T
111
85. Sony Xperia 5 II
111
85. Xiaomi Mi 11i
111
85. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G
111
90. LG Wing
110
91. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G
109
91. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
109
93. OnePlus Nord
108
93. Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G
108
93. Oppo A94 5G
108
93. Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+
108
93. Xiaomi 11T
108
98. Oppo Reno6 5G
107
98. ZTE Axon 30 Ultra
107
100. Oppo Find X5 Lite
106
100. Realme GT Neo 2 5G
106
100. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
106
103. Motorola Edge 20 Pro
105
103. Oppo Reno4 5G
105
103. Oppo Find X3 Lite
105
103. Oppo Find X2 Neo
105
103. Realme GT Neo
105
103. Samsung Galaxy A72
105
103. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
105
103. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
105
103. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
105
103. Vivo V21 5G
105
113. Apple iPhone SE (2020)
103
113. POCO X3 NFC
103
113. Realme 8 Pro
103
116. OnePlus Nord CE 5G
102
116. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
102
116. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
102
119. Oppo Reno5 Pro 5G
100
120. Vivo Y76 5G
99
121. Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G
98
122. Oppo A77 5G
97
122. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
97
124. Honor Magic4 Lite 5G
95
124. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
95
126. Vivo Y72 5G
94
127. Fairphone 4
92
127. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
92
129. Samsung Galaxy A12
90
130. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
89
131. Honor X7
88
131. Samsung Galaxy A71 5G
88
131. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
88
131. Xiaomi Redmi 10 2022
88
135. Crosscall Action-X5
87
135. Samsung Galaxy A51 5G
87
135. Sony Xperia 1
87
135. ZTE Axon 20 5G
87
139. Nokia 8.3 5G
86
140. Oppo A16s 5G
80
141. Samsung Galaxy A50
76
9th
Position in Ultra-Premium Ranking
1. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
146
2. Huawei P50 Pro
144
3. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
143
4. Huawei Mate 40 Pro+
139
5. Xiaomi 12S Ultra
138
6. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
137
6. Apple iPhone 13 Pro
137
8. Huawei Mate 40 Pro
136
9. Google Pixel 6 Pro
135
9. Vivo X70 Pro+
135
11. Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders
133
11. Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra
133
13. Huawei P40 Pro
132
14. Honor Magic4 Pro
131
14. Oppo Find X3 Pro
131
14. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
131
14. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
131
14. Vivo X50 Pro+
131
14. Xiaomi 12 Pro
131
20. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
130
20. Oppo Find X5 Pro
130
22. Apple iPhone 12 Pro
128
22. Vivo X60 Pro+
128
22. Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro
128
22. Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
128
26. OnePlus 10 Pro
127
27. Oppo Find X2 Pro
126
27. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
126
27. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
126
30. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
124
30. OnePlus 9 Pro
124
30. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
124
33. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
123
34. Oppo Find X5
122
35. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
121
36. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
120
36. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 (Exynos)
120
36. Samsung Galaxy Note20 (Exynos)
120
39. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (Snapdragon)
119
40. OnePlus 8 Pro
118
40. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
118
42. Motorola Edge+
117
42. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
117
44. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (Exynos)
116
44. Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G (Exynos)
116
46. Sony Xperia 1 III
115
47. Samsung Galaxy Note20 (Snapdragon)
112
47. Sony Xperia 1 II
112
49. Sony Xperia 5 II
111
50. LG Wing
110
51. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G
109
51. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
109
53. Sony Xperia 1
87
Pros
- Good detail in bright light and indoor images, as well as in video
- Good shadow detail and contrast
- Nice and accurate color in photo and video
- Fast and accurate autofocus in bright light and indoor conditions
- Excellent detail in long range tele shots
- Effective video stabilization
- Good exposure and wide dynamic range in video
Cons
- Narrow depth of field results in blurry background subjects in group shots
- Noise in indoor and low-light images
- Depth estimation errors and instabilities in bokeh shots
- Bokeh blur effect not visible in preview
- Ultra-wide camera not as wide as competition
- Color instabilities and noise in video
- Occasionally unstable video autofocus in low light
With a DXOMARK Camera overall score of 135 the Google Pixel 6 Pro puts Google back into the group of manufacturers that is battling it out for the smartphone camera crown, making the device, at least from an imaging point of view, the best option for Android users in the US market by surpassing the competition from Samsung and Asus.
Overall the new Google phone delivers an outstanding Photo performance and great Video quality. Thanks to the introduction of the new 4x tele lens it also does very well in the Zoom category. Compared to one of its main rivals, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, Photo and Zoom are on par but with different characteristics. The Pixel is ahead in terms of exposure and texture. The iPhone does better for some other categories, such as preview or autofocus. For Video the Pixel 6 Pro still slightly lags behind the iPhone, especially in terms of capturing high-contrast scenes, something that the iPhone 13 Pro Max excels at.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro produces excellent image quality in most situations.
The excellent Photo score of 143 is based on a consistently good performance across all still image test categories. On the Pixel 6 Pro Google paid particular attention to contrast as well as portrait quality and skin tones and overall the camera is very reliable and a big step forward from previous Pixel models that had to rely on smaller sensors and less processing power. Still images show good exposure, with only some slight underexposure in difficult backlit scenes. The camera also delivers very high level of details in outdoor and indoor conditions but noise is often visible when shooting under indoor lighting or in low light. The autofocus works reliably in most conditions, too, but the large sensor of the primary module means that depth of field is quite limited, blurring subjects that are located behind the focal plane.
In terms of the Zoom score the Pixel 6 Pro mainly benefits from the 4x tele camera that delivers great results at long range, although the level of detail suffers at shorter zoom settings. Compared to the best in class the ultra-wide camera comes with some limitations, however. At 16mm-equivalent, the field of view is not very wide, the level of detail could be better and our engineers also observed some noise and exposure instabilities. On the plus side, anamorphosis is well corrected.
The Video score of 115 puts the Pixel 6 Pro into the top ten for this category as well. Video clips benefit from a wide dynamic range and good exposure in most conditions. Colors are nice in most situations and the level of detail is high, especially when shooting in bright light. The autofocus works mostly accurately, except in low light where failures can occur. The Pixel’s stabilization system does a good job at keeping things steady and even when running or walking while recording only some slight shake is noticeable. On the downside, noise as well as exposure and white balance instabilities can be noticeable in some situations.
Photo
The Google Pixel 6 Pro achieves a Photo score of 143. In this section, we take a closer look at each sub-attribute and compare image quality against competitors.
Exposure and Contrast
Google Pixel 6 Pro
104
111
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (111)
In these tests we analyze target exposure, contrast, and dynamic range, including repeatability across a series of images. Tests are undertaken in a wide range of light conditions, including backlit scenes and low light down to 1 lux. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s exposure performance in a backlit scene.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, accurate target exposure, wide dynamic range with slight highlight clipping
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, accurate target exposure, limited dynamic range with stronger highlight clipping
Huawei P50 Pro, slightly underexposure on left model, wide dynamic range
This graph shows the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s average contrast entropy in lab conditions.
Average entropy comparison: the Pixel 6 Pro shows an extended dynamic range when compared to its competitors, especially in high dynamic range scenes (EV2 and EV4).
Color
Google Pixel 6 Pro
107
Highest Score
In these tests we analyze color rendering, skin tones, white balance, and color shading, including repeatability across a series of images. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
Note that even though the Google Pixel 6 Pro does an excellent job color-wise in most conditions, a slight cast can be visible on occasion. These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s color performance in outdoor conditions.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, accurate white balance, vivid colors
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, slightly blue white balance
Huawei P50 Pro, accurate white balance
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s color performance in indoor conditions.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, accurate white balance, pleasant skin tones and color rendering
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, warm white balance, pleasant skin tones and color rendering
Huawei P50 Pro, warm white balance, pleasant skin tones and color rendering
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s color performance in low light.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, accurate white balance and color rendering
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, accurate white balance and color rendering
Huawei P50 Pro, accurate color rendering, slightly orange white balance
Autofocus
Google Pixel 6 Pro
99
109
Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders
Best: Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders (109)
In these tests we analyze autofocus accuracy and shooting time, including repeatability, in the lab. We test focus failures, depth of field, and tracking of moving subjects using perceptual analysis of real-life images.
This graph shows the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s autofocus performance in the lab in outdoor high dynamic range conditions (1000 lux, 4EV, handheld).
The Google Pixel 6 Pro autofocus is fast and accurate even in challenging high-contrast scenes.
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s autofocus and depth of field in outdoor conditions. The lack of a variable aperture (as you would have on most dedicated cameras) makes depth of field in this kind of scene a challenge for almost all current ultra-premium devices.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, depth of field
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: limited depth of field, good focus on foreground, middle and background out of focus
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, depth of field
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, crop: limited depth of field, good focus on foreground, middle and background out of focus
Huawei P50 Pro, depth of field
Huawei P50 Pro, crop: extended depth of field, focus on foreground and middle plane
Texture
Google Pixel 6 Pro
107
111
Xiaomi Mi 11
Best: Xiaomi Mi 11 (111)
In these tests we analyze texture on faces and objects, including objects in motion, in a range of light conditions, using several lab test setups and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s texture performance in daylight conditions.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, outdoor texture
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: excellent detail, fine detail preserved
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, outdoor texture
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, crop: good detail on face, slight loss of fine detail
Huawei P50 Pro, outdoor texture
Huawei P50 Pro, crop: good detail on face, slightly unnatural rendering
The fine detail preservation in the real-life scene above can also be seen and measured in the lab. This graph shows the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s texture performance compared to the competition in the lab across varying light levels. We measure texture on various crops of our perceptual test scenes. The Pixel 6 Pro’s results mounted on a tripod are very high but lower handheld which is more relevant to most users.
Texture comparison (20 lux, A illuminant, tripod): high levels of details measured in most lab tested conditions, especially when the device is mounted on a tripod
This sample shows the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s texture performance in low light in the lab.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, detail at 20 lux, phone mounted on tripod
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: high level of detail in low light
Apple iPhone 13 Pro, detail at 20 lux, phone mounted on tripod
Apple iPhone 13 Pro, crop: low level of detail
Huawei P50 Pro, detail at 20 lux, phone mounted on tripod
Huawei P50 Pro, good detail but not as good as Pixel 6 Pro
Noise
Google Pixel 6 Pro
85
102
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (102)
In these tests we analyze noise on faces and objects, including objects in motion, in a range of light conditions, using several lab test setups and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
This graph shows the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s noise performance in the lab across light levels.
Noise comparison (smaller value is better): some noise is measured for all lighting conditions on the Pixel 6 Pro but noise levels are lower than on the iPhone 13 Pro Max for indoor conditions and low light. The P50 Pro has lower noise in such conditions.
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s noise performance in indoor conditions.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, indoor noise
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: slight noise
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, indoor noise
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, crop: some noise
Huawei P50 Pro, indoor noise
Huawei P50 Pro, crop: well-controlled noise
Bokeh
Google Pixel 6 Pro
65
80
Huawei P50 Pro
Best: Huawei P50 Pro (80)
For these tests we switch to the camera’s bokeh or portrait mode and analyze depth estimation, bokeh shape, blur gradient, and repeatability, as well as all other general image quality attributes mentioned above. The score is derived from perceptual analysis of real-life images.
On the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s bokeh shots, the level of detail in sharp areas is very high and higher than on the comparison devices. This is especially nice for portrait shots where the sharpness of the subject contrasts nicely with the background blur that has a nice shape to it. These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s bokeh simulation in daylight.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, bokeh mode
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: depth artifacts on subject
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, bokeh mode
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, crop: slight depth artifacts
Huawei P50 Pro, bokeh mode
Huawei P50 Pro, crop: natural subject segmentation, almost no depth artifacts
Night
Google Pixel 6 Pro
67
82
Huawei Mate 40 Pro+
Best: Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ (82)
In these tests we shoot a selection of images in pitch-black darkness as well as with city lights in the background providing some illumination. We shoot sample images with the camera at default settings in both flash-auto and flash-off modes. We analyze all image quality attributes but we pay particular attention to exposure, autofocus, and color. We do not test night modes that have to be activated manually.
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s night performance in flash-on mode. Please note that the Pixel 6 Pro does not offer a flash-auto mode, leaving the decision whether to use flash or not to the users.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, flash-on: good exposure on face, slightly underexposed background, acceptable contrast, slightly inaccurate color, good detail, visible noise
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, flash-auto: Slight overexposure on face, slightly underexposed background, low contrast, acceptable color, slight loss of detail, some noise
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s night performance in flash-off mode. The images show decent exposure but dynamic range is limited, resulting in highlight clipping. Image noise and a loss of detail can also be observed.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, flash-off: strong highlight clipping, limited dynamic range, slight loss of detail
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, flash-off: highlight and shadow clipping, limited dynamic range, slight loss of detail
Huawei P50 Pro, flash-off: wide dynamic range, acceptable detail
Artifacts
Google Pixel 6 Pro
75
77
Google Pixel 6
Best: Google Pixel 6 (77)
In these tests we check images for optical artifacts such as vignetting, flare, lens softness in the corners, distortion, and chromatic aberrations, as well as for processing artifacts such as ghosting and fusion errors, hue shift, and ringing.
This image shows an example of color fringing on the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Overall, most common artifacts are well corrected but color fringing and aliasing are often visible. Please also note the cold white balance cast in this image.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, artifacts
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: color fringing
Apple iPhone 13 Max, artifacts
Apple iPhone 13 Max, crop: slight color fringing
Huawei P50 Pro, artifacts
Huawei P50 Pro, crop: no fringing
Preview
Google Pixel 6 Pro
63
80
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (80)
In these tests we analyze the image quality of the preview image and the differences between preview images and captured images, particularly in terms of exposure, dynamic range, and bokeh effect. We also check the smoothness of the field-of-view changes in the preview image when zooming with both buttons or when using the pinch-zoom gesture.
These images show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s preview performance in HDR conditions.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, preview, difference to capture in dynamic range, more highlight clipping
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, preview, difference to capture in dynamic range, more highlight clipping
Huawei P50 Pro, preview, strong difference to capture in dynamic range, much stronger highlight clipping
Google Pixel 6 Pro, capture
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, capture
Huawei P50 Pro, capture
These images show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s preview performance in bokeh mode.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, preview, no blur effect on bokeh mode preview
Google Pixel 6 Pro, capture
Zoom
The Google Pixel 6 Pro achieves a Zoom score of 71. The Zoom score includes the tele and wide sub-scores. In this section, we take a closer look at how these sub-scores were achieved and compare zoom image quality against the competitors.
Wide
Google Pixel 6 Pro
38
58
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (58)
In these tests we analyze the performance of the ultra-wide camera at several focal lengths from 12 to 20 mm. We look at all image quality attributes, but we pay particular attention to such artifacts as chromatic aberrations, lens softness, and distortion.
This sample shows the performance of the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s ultra-wide camera in outdoor conditions.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, ultra-wide: limited field of view, slight noise, slight loss of detail, accurate white balance
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, ultra-wide: wide field of view, slight noise, slight loss of detail, slight white balance cast
Huawei P50 Pro, ultra-wide: wide field of view, well-controlled noise, slight loss of detail, slight white balance cast
Tele
Google Pixel 6 Pro
93
140
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (140)
In these tests we analyze all image quality attributes at focal lengths from approximately 40 to 300 mm, paying particular attention to texture and detail. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s performance at a close range tele setting.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, close range tele
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: slight loss of detail, well controlled noise, slight cast
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, close range tele
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, crop: loss of detail, noise, slightly inaccurate color
Huawei P50 Pro, close range tele
Huawei P50 Pro, crop: good detail, low noise, nice color
These samples show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s performance at a long-range tele setting.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, long range tele
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: good detail, slight noise
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, long range tele
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, crop: loss of detail, slight noise
Huawei P50 Pro, long range tele
Huawei P50 Pro, crop: good detail, low noise
This graph shows the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s texture performance at a long-range tele setting.
Average texture at long-range tele: The Pixel 6 Pro’s performance put it between the Huawei P50 Pro and Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Video
In our Video tests we analyze the same image quality attributes as for still images, such as exposure, color, texture or noise, but we also include such temporal aspects as speed, and smoothness and stability of exposure, white balance and autofocus transitions.
NOTE: The sample video clips in this section are best viewed at 4K resolution.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro achieves a Video score of 115. A device’s overall Video score is derived from its performance and results across a range of attributes in the same way as the Photo score. In this section we take a closer look at these sub-scores and compare video image quality against competitors.
Exposure and Contrast
Google Pixel 6 Pro
105
118
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (118)
These sample clips show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s video exposure performance in low light conditions.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, accurate target exposure, wide dynamic range with slight clipping, slight exposure adaptation
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, accurate target exposure, wide dynamic range with slight clipping, no exposure adaptation (best played on HDR display)
Huawei P50 Pro, low target exposure, limited dynamic range with shadow and highlight clipping
Color
Google Pixel 6 Pro
104
107
Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (107)
These sample clips show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s video color in a low light scene. In outdoor and indoor conditions white balance and color rendering are mostly accurate but in this low light clip white balance instabilities can be seen.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, visible white balance adaptation and instabilities in low light
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, visible white balance adaptation in low light
Huawei P50 Pro, slightly visible white balance adaptation in low light
Autofocus
Google Pixel 6 Pro
103
109
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (109)
These sample clips show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s video autofocus performance in low light. In outdoor and indoor conditions focus is mostly fast and accurate but some failures can be observed in low light.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, autofocus instabilities
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, stable autofocus except some very slight refocusing, mostly fast and accurate in low light
Huawei P50 Pro, stable autofocus, mostly fast and accurate in low light
Texture
Google Pixel 6 Pro
88
99
Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
Best: Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon) (99)
These sample clips show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s texture performance in daylight.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, good detail, including fine detail preservation
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, excellent detail with fine detail well preserved even in the shadows
Huawei P50 Pro, excellent detail, with well preserved fine detail
Noise
Google Pixel 6 Pro
95
105
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (105)
This graph shows the Google Pixel 6 Pro video noise performance in the lab.
Video noise comparison: temporal luminance and chromatic noise are noticeable, especially in indoor conditions and low light where noise levels are often higher than on competitors.
Artifacts
Google Pixel 6 Pro
78
85
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Best: Xiaomi 12S Ultra (85)
For video artifacts, we check for the same kinds of artifacts mentioned in the Photo section, along with such video-specific artifacts as frame rate variation in different light conditions, judder effect, and moving artifacts (artifacts such as aliasing, color quantization, and flare can often be more intrusive when moving than in a still image).
This video still shows an aliasing effect in low light.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, video artifacts
Google Pixel 6 Pro, crop: aliasing is often visible in all conditions
Stabilization
Google Pixel 6 Pro
103
Highest Score
In these tests we analyze residual motion when handholding the camera during recording, as well as when walking and running with the camera. We also look for stabilization artifacts such as jello effect, sharpness differences between frames, and frame shift (abrupt changes of framing).
These sample clips show the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s stabilization performance in daylight.
Google Pixel 6 Pro, very effective stabilization overall, only slight residual motion when walking or running while recording
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, slight residual motion when walking, strong residual motion when running
Huawei P50 Pro, effective stabilization, slight residual motion when running or walking
Videos