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I don't think anybody could seriously tell me that there isn't a huge quality difference in these two photos below.

XS Max:
PNMJbd7.jpg

Pixel 3:
gAHT6Ei.jpg
Well the iPhone definitely wins look at the background windows showing well better
 
I Probably mentioned this at least a few other times in other similar main page articles, but smart phone cameras are so good in comparison in today’s tech era , I honestly cannot tell the difference between a lot of them. I am not a professional photographer, I’m simply a smart phone Camera enthusiast and aficionado, but every year these articles surface which ‘camera is better for which smart phone’ debates, and we all know that everyone has their own preference, but truthfully, todays smart phones take stellar photos, and I’m confident most consumers can’t differentiate between which phone is which either.
 
That is literally night and day. The pixel 3 is miles better, the way it works around the curly hair, and the sharpness. Far far more DSLR like!
Kind of the point. If you're just holding it and one comes out to be in focus more than the other doesn't that say something about how well the focus works on the pixel 3? I went through all the photos and the pixel 3 to me looks like the better camera.

No, not at all. Any camera takes out of focus pictures. so many variables that have nothing to do with the camera itself... moving subject, moving person holding the camera, etc. It's absurd to see people make such declarative statements based in one pair of photos. and I'm not even saying which camera is better. Just that one photo is no way to reach a conclusion.
 
The plastic skin smoothening on the XS front camera is really noticeable, though. Not good.

I've played with the Pixel 3 a little and based on a couple YouTube videos:

iPhone XS/Max vs Pixel 3/XL still photos is a toss up
iPhone video is better
Pixel 3/XL video sound is horrible
Pixel 3/XL has edge in portrait mode, hopefully Apple fixes the smoothing effect
 
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"both are closer than ever to overtaking more traditional handheld cameras."

Closer by what? fraction of an inch? There is _no_ contest between pro stuff like the Sony A7 with pro glass and these cheap smartphone cameras.

Unless of course, you only take photos to share and consume on instagram, and never crop... Even on instagram, the detail, depth of field, etcetera from pro hardware paints a different painting than the camera on these phones ever could. Laws of physics, size of camera optics and lens mounts, etc etc have a say here.
 
iOS 12.1 will have some much needed camera refinements; it's clear this wasn't fulled baked for release day.
 
iOS 12.1 will have some much needed camera refinements; it's clear this wasn't fulled baked for release day.

Yes, I hope Apple steps it up. When macrumors describes a Google image as showing more noise, it really tells you how useless their comparison is. The Apple photos are smoothed to all hell, and there is a distinct lack of detail in them. Look at theverge review to really get a good idea. Apple is also doing terrible things to the shadows. I’m honestly displeased with Apple - I hope they significantly increase their work on how they take and process images.
 
I don't think anybody could seriously tell me that there isn't a huge quality difference in these two photos below.

XS Max:
PNMJbd7.jpg

Pixel 3:
gAHT6Ei.jpg
I own the XS but in these photos the Pixel 3 is quite a bit sharper especially on your son’s hair. It is your son right? I’ll feel like a dummy if not :D Also he looks a lot like my grandson ;)
 
So those pictures reveal completely different story than the one from Google keynote. Google showed picture where iPhone couldn’t stand the chance against Pixel, another example how companies manipulate the audience to give false message. Both cameras are excellent, absolutely best in class, there is no clear winner in my opinion and it’s absolutely the matter of taste. The most important thing here is, that the message promoted by mainstream YouTube stars and portals of supremacy pixel 3 over iPhone Xs is completely not true.
 
Smartphone cameras are amazingly good, any way you look at it. I don't see enough difference either way to care; the only thing I notice is that we might be at the point of diminishing returns for most people.
 
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nice to see apple get its a$$ kicked. maybe they'll start working harder now.
 
The XS photo isn't in focus. take two photos equally in focus and then compare. I can take a photo with a $2000 dslr kit that looks worse, if not properly in focus.
I believe that’s part of the problem of low light shooting with the XS/Max. I’ve seen this in a number of comparisons in the past few days.
 
Both phones producing nice shots! Now I just need someone to go to Central Park with both cameras to debunk that example Google used during their presentation.
 
I would estimate 8 of 10 reviews I've read online this past week have Google's phone taking better pics than Apple's. Can MR parse specs anymore thinner to justify their closer "Both phones have their advantages & drawbacks"? Seems a bit petty to me.

Petty? Not at all. Back in the day Cannon and Nikon had excellent cameras, often you end up comparing lens and there is always an issue of personal preference.
 
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