Apple‘s latest flagship, the iPhone 16, gets a mediocre score in DxOMark’s display analysis. The independent benchmark site, which scientifically assesses smartphones, lenses, and cameras, gives the iPhone 16 just 142 points—falling short for a premium smartphone.
This score puts the iPhone 16 behind several more affordable competitors, including the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G and Google Pixel 8a, which both managed 143 and 145 points respectively. DxOMark’s current display leader, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, sits comfortably at the top with 158 points.
One area where the iPhone 16 struggles is brightness. Apple says the phone boasts a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits, and DxOMark’s measurements also revealed a figure close to it at peak of 1,969 nits.
However, it falls behind the Samsung Galaxy S24, which achieved a staggering 2,548 nits. Despite this discrepancy, DxOMark acknowledges that the iPhone 16’s brightness is adequate for most outdoor viewing scenarios.
iPhone 16 Display Fails to Impress in DxOMark Analysis
DxOMark also identified other shortcomings beyond raw brightness. In low-light conditions, the analysis found that Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content appeared too dark and lacked sufficient contrast. Additionally, HDR10 content exhibited brightness fluctuations, potentially impacting viewing quality.
Touchscreen responsiveness proved reliable in most situations, but DxOMark noted a minor issue with the new capture button. More concerning is the display’s refresh rate. Stuck at 60 Hz, the iPhone 16 lags behind competitors offering smoother 120 Hz displays.
While the touchscreen response time itself remains competitive at 51-84 milliseconds, the lower refresh rate translates to less fluid animations.
DxOMark’s analysis also measured a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) frequency of 480 Hz. This flickering rate matches the Samsung Galaxy S24, and while fast enough for most users to avoid issues, those sensitive to flickering displays might want to consider alternatives.
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