iPhone 16 Display Scores: A Mixed Bag According to DXOMark

The iPhone 16’s display performance has garnered attention, but it sits lower than expected on the DXOMark chart, even trailing behind some midrange Android phones. Here’s a closer look at the highlights and drawbacks identified in their analysis.

Key Drawbacks

1. Inconsistent Brightness: One of the main issues noted is the display’s average brightness in HDR10 and SDR videos. DXOMark points out that the autobrightness feature can make the screen appear dim in dark rooms, leading to frustrating brightness “jumps” when switching between content types.

2. Color Accuracy Issues: When the True Tone feature is enabled, users may notice a slight orange tint on photos and HDR10 videos, which can affect the viewing experience.

3. Low Contrast in Low Light: SDR content lacks sufficient contrast in dim environments, making it harder to enjoy videos and photos.

4. Touch Sensitivity Problems: The edges of the display have been reported to respond inconsistently, and there are instances where the touchscreen becomes unresponsive right after using the new Camera Control button.

5. Refresh Rate: With a refresh rate of only 60Hz, the iPhone 16 lags behind many flagship and even some lowertier devices, potentially impacting the overall smoothness of animations and scrolling.

Notable Strengths

Despite these drawbacks, the iPhone 16 does shine in several areas:

Color Accuracy: The display is praised for rendering pleasant and accurate colors, even for HDR10 content, ensuring readability both indoors and outdoors.

Eye Comfort: DXOMark awarded the iPhone 16 an Eye Comfort label, citing wellcontrolled luminance, color consistency, and effective bluelight filtering, making it a more comfortable option for prolonged use.

In summary, while the iPhone 16 has its fair share of challenges in display performance, it still offers impressive color accuracy and comfort features that many users will appreciate.