The Google Pixel 7a is one of the best budget phones you can buy right now, with the $99 price tag offering a range of premium features, great photos, and solid performance. One such feature is the 90Hz display. Unfortunately, as a hi-tech vampire, that screen might have a penchant for bright sunlight.
The Pixel 7a’s refresh rate isn’t adaptive, so the 90Hz refresh rate should stay that way no matter what. But Reddit user pawlikx_iron he noted that this is not always the case. Apparently bright sunlight forces the Pixel 7a’s screen to drop to 60Hz, only to drop back to 90Hz once you’re in the shade.
Pawlikz_iron notes that the phone still feels fresh when the refresh rate takes a dip, but other commenters have noted that this appears to be by design. Strong sunlight can heat things up pretty quickly, and higher temperatures typically lead to a loss in energy efficiency.
It was recently revealed that the Pixel 7a uses a less efficient version of the Tensor G2 chipset, which can cause the phone to run hotter than other Pixel 7 devices. So it’s possible that Google has taken a more proactive stance to ensure that the Pixel 7a’s temperature remains as stable as possible.
One commenter notes that the Android source code mentions that the refresh rate will lock at 60Hz when the light intensity exceeds 50k lux. They note that other Pixel phones appear to be designed to do this, while another comment mentions widely reported refresh rate issues on the Pixel 4.
Shortly after launch, users noticed that the Pixel 4 was having trouble maintaining a 90Hz refresh rate, and the problem was the lighting conditions. Setting the screen brightness below 75% caused it to drop to 60Hz, except in conditions with sufficient ambient lighting, with Google noting this was a power-saving move. Shortly after this news broke, Google released updates to ensure 90Hz was available in more lighting conditions.
It’s unclear if Google will do something similar with the Pixel 7a, but there’s something you can do about it at home. As one Reddit user points out, entering Developer options will reveal an option for Force peak refresh rate. This should force your phone to stay at 90Hz under all conditions, though you should be aware that excess heat will affect power efficiency and could damage the battery over time.
Developer options are hidden by default, but can be revealed by going to Settings > About phone > touching Build number seven times and entering the PIN. You can then find the Developer Options menu in the file System settings menu or by searching.
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