Frequently asked questions

Short answers, each pointing to the guide that goes into detail.

Is DeadTier free?

Yes. There is no account, no sign-up and nothing to pay. The site may show ads from Google, which pay for it and never affect a result.

Do I need to install anything?

No. The whole test runs in your web browser, which is why it works on a shop’s demo unit or on a phone you are thinking of buying.

How long does the test take?

About a minute. It measures the screen for a couple of seconds, then runs the processor test and the drawing test, three passes each.

Which devices and browsers does it work on?

Any phone, tablet, laptop or desktop with an up-to-date browser - Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox and others - and JavaScript switched on. The test is code that runs on your device, so it cannot work with JavaScript off.

Why does it ask what kind of device I am testing?

Because the tier compares your device with others of the same type. The same score is a strong result for a phone and an ordinary one for a desktop, so the verdict depends on the answer. The browser guesses first; if the button names the wrong device, tap the right one.

What does the score out of 100 mean?

It measures how powerful the device is on one scale for every type of device, where 100 means matching a strong current desktop. That is what lets you compare a phone with a laptop - and why a phone is expected to score lower. What the score means explains it in full.

What do the tiers mean?

Flagship, High-End, Mid-Range, Entry-Level, Budget and DEAD TIER say how a device compares with others of its own type. The score range for every tier and device type is listed in what the score means.

Why does my result say “Estimated tier”?

Until 30 devices of your type have been tested here, the tier is worked out from an estimate of what a strong current device of that type scores. After that, it comes from where your device falls among the real devices tested, and the line under the tier changes to say so. The score itself is always measured.

Why did my score change when I ran it again?

Heat, the charger, battery saver and other apps all change how fast a device runs at a given moment, and a minute of full load warms any device a little. For a fair comparison, test the same way each time. Why the same device scores differently and how to get an accurate result go into detail.

Does charging change the result?

Often, yes. Many laptops run faster on the charger and hold back on battery, and a phone can run slower while charging because it warms up. Both results are real; for a fair comparison, test unplugged. The site shows a note when it can see a charger plugged in.

Does it test my graphics card?

No. The drawing test leans on the processor, which is why it is called a render test, and a web page cannot reach a graphics chip the way an installed app can. To see which graphics chip a device reports, use what GPU do I have?; for graphics speed, use an installed benchmark app. Browser benchmarks vs app benchmarks explains the difference.

Can it tell whether a phone is genuine?

No, and it does not try. It measures how fast a device performs. A device that scores well below what its type normally reaches might be warm, busy, on battery saver or carrying an aged battery, so a poor result is a reason to ask questions and test again - not proof of anything.

Why does my 120 Hz screen show 60 Hz?

The test reports the rate your screen is running at right now. Battery saver, a 60 Hz display setting or the browser itself can hold a faster screen at 60. Check those, then measure again with the refresh rate test, which takes a few seconds.

What is 1% low FPS?

The frame rate during the slowest 1% of frames - the moments where a device stutters. It matches how smooth a device feels better than the average does. What is 1% low FPS? explains it.

How do I compare two devices?

Run the test on one, then press “Dare a friend to beat it” under the result. It makes a link that carries your measurements; open it on the other device and run the test there, and both results appear side by side under “Compare with another device”. That comparison needs no estimate, because both columns are measurements.

What does DeadTier collect?

When a test finishes: the measurements, the device type you chose, a rough operating system name and what the device detector guessed. Not your name, IP address, device ID, browser details or the device’s model. The privacy policy lists every field. DeadTier sets no cookies itself; Google’s ads use cookies, and the privacy policy explains how to opt out of personalised ads.

Can I run the test without adding my result?

Yes: open deadtier.com/?contribute=off. Nothing is sent, you still get your full result, and the screen says “Off for this visit”.

Who runs DeadTier?

An independent developer in Malaysia, with no link to any device maker or shop. Questions are welcome at deadtiermail@gmail.com.