Galaxy S9+ Tops iPhone X as Best Smartphone Camera Ever in DxO's Controversial Rankings

[MacRumors]

DxO today said Samsung's new Galaxy S9 Plus has the best smartphone camera it has ever tested. The device earned the highest-ever DxOMark score of 99, topping both the Google Pixel 2 and iPhone X, which scored 98 and 97 respectively.

In its review, DxO said the Galaxy S9 Plus camera lacks any "obvious weaknesses" and "performs very well across all photo and video test categories," which will make it a compelling choice for photography-minded smartphone users.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is a smartphone without any real weaknesses in the camera department. In both still and video modes, it performs well across the board, delivering consistently good photo and video image quality in all light and shooting situations, thus earning itself our highest DxOMark Mobile score to date. Add one of the best smartphone zooms and a capable bokeh simulation mode to the mix, and the Galaxy S9 Plus is difficult to ignore for any photo-minded smartphone user. With the Galaxy S9 Plus, Samsung is setting the pace for 2018. We'll see if the competition can follow suit.

While the Galaxy S9 Plus has a 12-megapixel dual-lens rear camera like the iPhone X, a key new feature is variable aperture, which means the lenses can adapt to various lighting conditions just as the human eye would, and automatically let in more light when it's dark and less when it's too bright.

In dim conditions, the rear camera uses a very fast f/1.5 aperture to maximize light capture, according to DxO. In brighter light, it switches to a slower f/2.4 aperture for optimized detail and sharpness.

DxO found the Galaxy S9 Plus produces "excellent results" in bright light and sunny conditions, with vivid colors, good exposures, and a very wide dynamic range. The autofocus wasn't the very fastest DxO has ever tested, but they said it's more than fast enough not to be an issue for any user.

Galaxy S9+​

iPhone X​

While the review crowned the Galaxy S9 Plus as an "excellent bright-light performer," DxO still experienced some "fairly minor issues" in those conditions. Some of its photos had "purple fringing on high-contrast edges" and "pretty noticeable" ringing halos, while others had "slight blue or pink color casts."

DxO said the Galaxy S9 Plus's performance in dimmer conditions is "equally impressive," yielding photos with "nice exposures with vivid color, accurate white balance, low noise, and good texture in low-light conditions."

The rear camera earned top marks in several other areas, including autofocus, zoom, flash, and bokeh, exposure, contrast, and color accuracy, so be sure to read the full-length review for more detailed analysis.

To determine scoring in its smartphone camera reviews, DxOMark said its engineers capture and evaluate over 1,500 test images and more than two hours of video, both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera's default settings. This article explains more about the methodology.

DxO's smartphone camera reviews are well known, but they've also attracted some criticism, since the overall quality of a camera is subjective. When comparing dynamic range on the Galaxy S9 Plus, Google Pixel 2, and iPhone X, for example, DxO itself said the results are "pretty much a question of personal preference."

For those interested, here is DxO's review of the iPhone X camera. But reviews from professional photographers like Austin Mann may be more valuable. Together, they provide good technical and real-world insight.

Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ can be pre-ordered starting today for $720 and $840 respectively. The smartphones launch March 16.

Article Link: Galaxy S9+ Tops iPhone X as Best Smartphone Camera Ever in DxO's Controversial Rankings

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Garbage rating system. There's a reason pros don't rely on it.

 

[WhoDaKat]

I love how each new iteration of smart phone just happens to top the last by a point. Its almost like they want to stay relevant. Either way, props to Samsung for keeping the competition going.

 

[Parystec]

DxO today said Samsung's new Galaxy S9 Plus has the best smartphone camera it has ever tested. The device earned the highest-ever DxOMark score of 99, topping both the Google Pixel 2 and iPhone X, which scored 98 and 97 respectively.

In its review, DxO said the Galaxy S9 Plus camera lacks any "obvious weaknesses" and "performs very well across all photo and video test categories," which will make it a compelling choice for photography-minded smartphone users.While the Galaxy S9 Plus has a 12-megapixel dual-lens rear camera like the iPhone X, a key new feature is variable aperture, which means the lenses can adapt to various lighting conditions just as the human eye would, and automatically let in more light when it's dark and less when it's too bright.

In dim conditions, the rear camera uses a very fast f/1.5 aperture to maximize light capture, according to DxO. In brighter light, it switches to a slower f/2.4 aperture for optimized detail and sharpness.

DxO found the Galaxy S9 Plus produces "excellent results" in bright light and sunny conditions, with vivid colors, good exposures, and a very wide dynamic range. The autofocus wasn't the very fastest DxO has ever tested, but they said it's more than fast enough not to be an issue for any user.

Galaxy S9+​

iPhone X​

While the review crowned the Galaxy S9 Plus as an "excellent bright-light performer," DxO still experienced some "fairly minor issues" in those conditions. Some of its photos had "purple fringing on high-contrast edges" and "pretty noticeable" ringing halos, while others had "slight blue or pink color casts."

DxO said the Galaxy S9 Plus's performance in dimmer conditions is "equally impressive," yielding photos with "nice exposures with vivid color, accurate white balance, low noise, and good texture in low-light conditions."

The rear camera earned top marks in several other areas, including autofocus, zoom, flash, and bokeh, exposure, contrast, and color accuracy, so be sure to read the full-length review for more detailed analysis.

To determine scoring in its smartphone camera reviews, DxOMark said its engineers capture and evaluate over 1,500 test images and more than two hours of video, both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera's default settings. This article explains more about the methodology.

DxO's smartphone camera reviews are well known, but they've also attracted some criticism, since the overall quality of a camera is subjective. When comparing dynamic range on the Galaxy S9 Plus, Google Pixel 2, and iPhone X, for example, DxO itself said the results are "pretty much a question of personal preference."

For those interested, here is DxO's review of the iPhone X camera. But reviews from professional photographers like Austin Mann may be more valuable. Together, they provide good technical and real-world insight.

Article Link: Galaxy S9+ Tops iPhone X as Best Smartphone Camera Ever in DxO's Controversial Rankings

[doublepost=1519914990][/doublepost]Rating on pic is subjective rubbish.

 

[MacLawyer]

Bully for Samsung, but it just doesn't matter to me. I like my iPhone 7 and see no reason to upgrade until it either breaks or Apple ceases to support it with software updates.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Rating on pic is subjective rubbish.

Was DXO rubbish when the X got a higher score than the Note 8? Just saying ......

 

[pat500000]

Every year a new phone that comes out will be considered a “best camera.” But to be fair, it isn’t out for consumers to try and plus ..they said it has the better low light ability and less grainy

 

[Rogifan]

And then a new Pixel or iPhone will come out and that phone will be on top. Since MR is interested in compares how about posting Anandtech benchmark results?

https://www.anandtech.com/show/12478/exynos-9810-handson-awkward-first-results

 

[The Don Onez]

I haven't been able to differentiate between my different phone's photos for a few years now. I guess you really got to be a photo enthusiasts.

 

[Rafterman]

Why is is "controversial"? Because it didn't pick the iPhone?

 

[codydale]

Yeah... as mentioned by some (and thought by most), those two pictures are subjectively better only on an individual level. The blue and teal poles actually look more vivid when taken by the iPhone X imho... which is really the only thing that pops out in those images.

(True that the red ceiling is brighter in the S9 image, but again whether that is good or bad is pretty opinion-based)

 

[dragje]

Great achievement by Samsung. And the number one spot is quite difficult to achieve now by Apple unless Apple will "copy" the variable aperture feature. It's this feature that makes all the difference because now the camera can adept it's aperture when light conditions changes.

This doesn't mean that the iPhone X model will make terrible pictures but when you can adapt to different light conditions then this does explains the leap forward concerning quality of photo's.

 

[Rigby]

Wonder why DxO's rankings weren't called "controversial" when they declared that the iPhone 8+ had the best camera ever tested?

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/22/dxomark-iphone-8-plus-best-smartphone-camera/

 

[nfl46]

Expected.

September 2018 -

iPhone Xs Plus Tops Galaxy Note 9 as Best Smartphone Camera Ever in DXO's Controversial Rankings

 

[npmacuser5]

Awesome marketing, once a year make everyone feel inferior with their current products. Capitalism at its best.

 

[bunnicula]

That's lovely, but as it's connected to a Samsung, my interest pretty much ends there.

 

[heov]

Contrevesial, eh? Was that included in the iPhome 8 headline a few months back when it was top dog?

 

[Rogifan]

Wonder why DxO's rankings weren't called "controversial" when they declared that the iPhone 8+ had the best camera ever tested?

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/22/dxomark-iphone-8-plus-best-smartphone-camera/

They weren’t? I thought they’ve always been. It’s all subjective anyway. I think both photos included in this story look like crap.

 

[Mrjoedot]

Samsung better....yeah sure

 

[Jesse Waugh]

I don't know which is the better phone, but there will come a day when someone beats Apple.

 

[joeblow7777]

Shouldn't the headline be that the S9 tops the Google Pixel 2? It makes it sound like the X was previously ranked 1st.

 

[itsmilo]

This buzzfeed title tho ... MR you can do better

 

[Tapiture]

Supposedly DxOMark allows manufacturers to pay to “work with them” in order to improve their score. I don’t trust this rating system very much.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Great achievement by Samsung. And the number one spot is quite difficult to achieve now by Apple unless Apple will "copy" the variable aperture feature. It's this feature that makes all the difference because now the camera can adept it's aperture when light conditions changes.

This doesn't mean that the iPhone X model will make terrible pictures but when you can adapt to different light conditions then this does explains the leap forward concerning quality of photo's.

I'm sure Apple's eventual adaptation of it will once again blow Samdung and the Pickles out of the water.

Having looked at the review, I see Sammy still hasn't turned down their steroid-level-aggressive sharpening. Ergo, the X still takes the best pictures.

 

[A7ibaba]

I'm sure it has better camera and screen than Apple phones because they had time to improve over iphone X. Im pretty sure,the next gen of apple phones have better camera,and for screens I'm sure they will use best samsung OLED panels they can buy, actually customers can buy.