Tecno and DXOMark launch the world’s first fully automated smartphone photography testing lab

Smartphone brand Tecno and imaging reference company DXOMark jointly launched the world’s first fully automated imaging laboratory in Chongqing, China.

Called the Tecno DXOMark Joint Imaging Laboratory, it offers a scientific benchmarking of smartphone cameras, which in turn tells us if a phone camera is good (or otherwise).

To standardise testing, the lab uses the DXOMark Camera V6 testing protocol, which was recently launched in July 2025. This protocol features updated testing methods, new scenes used for evaluation, and a clearer scoring system than the previous versions. For example, the scoring system now has a more consistent HDR test that also covers night scenes, an extra 50 sets of portrait test scenarios, and video recording tests that copy human motion when recording.

Fully automated testing, with skin tones factored in

What makes the lab different is the full automation used in evaluating a phone camera’s quality. It includes micron-level accuracy for positioning, an AI-controlled environmental simulation, and can complete entire tests without human intervention.

The facility also has “comprehensive inclusive imaging evaluation” through the use of 3D head models next to 2D colour charts. These head models are meant to represent global skin tone diversity, and the system allows for precise colour science and calibration that covers the full spectrum of human skin complexion (e.g. enhanced exposure calibration for African markets).