Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Software program has seemingly grow to be simply as necessary (if no more necessary) than {hardware} with regards to the finest digicam telephones. Actually, I purchased my Pixel 7 Professional again in 2022 as a result of I believed it offered a implausible mix of digicam software program and {hardware}.
Nonetheless, spending time with telephones just like the HUAWEI P60 Professional and vivo X100 sequence has made me notice that Chinese language manufacturers, not Google or Samsung, are on the bleeding fringe of digicam {hardware}.
Do you assume Google and Samsung have fallen behind in digicam {hardware}?
589 votes
What impresses me about these telephones?
Maybe the most important factor that’s impressed me about latest Chinese language flagship telephones is the upgraded telephoto digicam expertise. Many of those telephones present a large aperture for nice low-light efficiency, close-up focusing capabilities, a comparatively giant sensor, and a high-resolution output.
The Google Pixel 9 Professional sequence actually ticks most of those bins, and we had been pleased with photos from its periscope digicam, though macro focusing is a notable omission. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely additionally gives a few of these perks however misses out on a large aperture and close-up focusing. In the meantime, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus persist with historic 10MP 3x telephoto cameras, leaving loads of fashionable telephoto digicam options on the desk.
Simply take a look at a few of my favourite telephoto snaps captured on Chinese language flagship telephones beneath.
Sony’s previous couple of Xperia 1 flagship telephones have even provided variable telephoto cameras. The Xperia 1 VI has a variable telephoto digicam able to steady zoom from 3.5x to 7.1x. Which means constant picture high quality between these two zoom ranges — no cropping or hybrid zoom wanted. What’s stopped Google or Samsung from investing in related cameras?
Higher major digicam {hardware}
Shifting away from the telephoto cameras, many Chinese language flagship telephones now supply one-inch major digicam sensors that allow cleaner, brighter photographs. Consequently, I’ve actually loved handheld astrophotography modes on latest vivo telephones. A tripod will nonetheless present sharper, cleaner outcomes, and the model’s low-light processing is heavy-handed, however picture high quality is respectable for a handheld snap and completely good for Instagram.
Google’s latest Pixel flagships all supply moderately sized major cameras, however I’d nonetheless like to see the corporate embrace even bigger sensors for higher low-light photographs, portraits, and movies. I really feel prefer it’s excessive time Samsung provided one-inch 50MP cameras too. In any case, who cares in regards to the S24 Extremely’s 200MP major digicam if shutter lag continues to be a difficulty? The Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus additionally sorely want a major digicam improve, utilizing what’s essentially the identical sensor as 2022’s S22 and S22 Plus.
Switchable apertures, greater sensors, versatile telephoto — there’s a lot lacking from Apple, Google, and Samsung flagships.
Predominant digicam improvements aren’t restricted to very large sensors. HUAWEI and Xiaomi’s latest telephones additionally supply variable aperture major cameras, bringing extra management over focusing and depth-of-field results.
If you’d like all the pieces in focus, you may go for the slender aperture. In the meantime, a large aperture offers you a shallow depth-of-field with pure bokeh results in comparison with the unreal bokeh seen in portrait mode snaps. Try the comparability beneath from the P60 Professional’s major digicam with huge and slender apertures. Amazingly versatile, proper?
Software program is one other story
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
As a lot as I like seeing bleeding-edge digicam {hardware} from Samsung and Google’s rivals, I nonetheless often use my Pixel 7 Professional for photographs. That’s primarily as a result of natural-looking photographs that aren’t over-sharpened or neon on account of aggressive HDR. Google has additionally introduced a couple of genuinely helpful software program options to subsequent fashions lately, reminiscent of Add Me and Greatest Take. I’m additionally an enormous fan of Samsung’s suite of software program options, reminiscent of Single Take, Director’s View, and shadow/reflection removing.
Chinese language rivals are catching up by way of software program, although, if not exceeding Google and Samsung in some areas. Coloration profiles are a significant addition to telephones from OnePlus, OPPO, Xiaomi, and vivo, however they’re totally lacking on Google and Samsung telephones. The Xiaomi 14 Extremely additionally gives AI-assisted zoom that beats the S24 Extremely in our testing. And in contrast to Google, Chinese language flagships embody on-device video options like 8K and improved low-light video.
If solely I may mix Google’s software program with Xiaomi’s {hardware}.
In any occasion, whereas Samsung and Google nonetheless supply top-tier digicam software program that may ship a refined, full-featured expertise, it’s clear that there’s room for enchancment on the {hardware} facet. That is particularly obvious for Samsung’s extra inexpensive flagships and their more and more getting older cameras. Now, if solely I may mix Samsung or Google’s software program with OPPO, Xiaomi, or vivo {hardware}.
