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Pixel 7a display throws a tantrum when the sun is out

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By Anam Hamid

Published: Jun 27, 2023, 8:11 PM

Pixel 7a display throws a tantrum when the sun is out

It's no secret that Google makes awesome mid-tier phones and the company really stepped it up with this year's Pixel 7a. The company equipped it with specs that are usually reserved for high-end phones, such as a flagship chip, stellar cameras, wireless charging, and a 90Hz OLED screen. The display isn't working as it should though, according to a Reddit user (via Android Police).

The Pixel 7a's screen automatically adjusts between 60Hz and 90Hz, depending on the contents of the display. The refresh rate goes down to 60Hz when you are viewing something static, such as an image, and is increased to 90Hz when you are watching moving content such as a video.

Reddit user pawlikx_iron says that their Pixel 7a cranks down the refresh rate to 60Hz when they are out in the sun. And contrary to what many other users suspected, this happens even when their phone is at normal temperature and not warm or hot. Otherwise, this behavior could have been attributed to the phone's power management system.

pawlikx_iron adds that the phone stays at 60Hz even when they touch the screen and only goes to 90Hz when they move to a shadowy place.

It's not known why the Pixel 7a is behaving this way and whether this is an isolated case. Either way, it must be annoying, especially for those who spend a lot of time outdoors.

One fix that has been proposed is enabling the Force 90Hz refresh rate setting, which can be found under Developer options.

A few days back, it was reported that the Pixel 7a uses an inferior version of the Tensor G2 chip which powers the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Although both chips are pretty much the same, the Pixel 7a's chipset gets hot faster, so it could be that Google is being extra cautious by turning down the refresh rate to 60Hz whenever it's sunny outside.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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