Google Pixel 3 XL vs. iPhone XS Max: Which Camera Reigns Supreme?

[willentrekin]

It would have been more helpful if the full-res image links were posted underneath each picture. The small-sized samples embedded in the review are near useless to discern the differences.

That said, the cameras on both are excellent and it's really down to personal preference which one prefers.

I'm not sure about that. Is Instagram full res? Most people view photos on their phones nowadays. Because you're right; judging by all results shown, both cameras are pretty excellent. So it's basically down to which latest-and-greatest OS one wants to use.

Someone else asked if people were trying to be award-winning photographers, and I think that's part of it. I'm sure some award-winning photographers use these cameras, and I'm sure photos taken with these cameras win some awards, but most award-winning photographers reach for an actual camera to shoot with. The photos in the OP are nice, but they're not going to touch an a6000 with a good lens, much less a higher-end set up.

All that said I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures folks take with these cameras, and higher end mirrorless gear. On Instagram. On my iPhone XS Max.

 

[mucker29]

hey, fellow Clevelander!!

YES!!! GO BROWNS!!!!

 

[Kabeyun]

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

XS Max:

Pixel 3:

The one labeled Pixel 3 is crisper and more contrasty. Definitely finer detail in the hair.

 

[Guscat]

Well, given how quick people were to praise the XS camera disguised as the Pixel 2, I’d say the difference in quality is not as important as it used to be. Most flagship cameras are excellent.

Android fanboys have a strong motive for pushing how great the pixel phone over the iPhone when the differences don’t appear to significant.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Android fanboys have a strong motive for pushing how great the pixel phone over the iPhone when the differences don’t appear to significant.

As a sidenote... did I read somewhere that Google only sells 4 million Pixel phones in a year?

That's out of a billion Android phones sold every year.

Maybe Pixel's slogan should be "The best camera hardly anybody is using"

 

[zakarhino]

Let's base it all on 1 picture taken by a forum member with a clear axe to grind...lol.

I own an XS Max, it's not my picture, it's the author's picture (check the Imgur album). Also, I don't use Google products. For what it's worth, I also think the XS Max takes better outdoor landscape shots than the Pixel 3.

"Axe to grind" lol
[doublepost=1539645607][/doublepost]

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.

Maybe you're right about focus but I've taken pictures with XS Max under similar lighting conditions (indoors, portrait mode) and I've had results that are just as unimpressive.

 

[Defthand]

The best comparison ever

Excellent video! Quite comprehensive.

Hardware-wise, it appears the iPhone has a superior processor, and possibly a superior image sensor and lenses (that might explain the superior sharpness). However, the contest basically boils down to the software post-processing and final result. This begs the question: if you shot in RAW format and processed each image manually, wouldn’t the iPhone be the superior tool?

 

[zakarhino]

From those 2 pictures, the Pixel is better...but I've seen the iPhone take better indoor pictures than your example too. The kid is doing something different in each picture, so they weren't shot at exactly the same time. Maybe the iPhone just isn't as good of a picture and you could have improved the shot?

There are examples in the MR article that the iPhone XS is clearly better, at least to me.

No one is going to take you seriously if you say stuff like the iPhone XS is taking pictures like a phone from 2010.

I think the Pixel 3 and iPhone XS are both top quality smartphone cameras.

I think the XS takes better pictures outdoors (what I mostly use mine for anyway). When it comes to portrait mode and indoor low-light, the XS falls short of the Pixel 3 (based on the Imgur album and other photos I've seen from the 3XL). From the Imgur album alone, most of the indoor shots from the XS look terrible and reminded me of old photos I was looking at last night from the iPhone 4 era; that's why I said it takes pics like a phone from 2010.

I'm not some Google shill trying to sell you on anything. I love my XS Max, I love most of the photos I take with it and I wouldn't use any other phone. I'm just telling you what I think from the photos posted here and the photos I've taken with the XS Max myself: indoor (mostly portrait) photos are grainy, mushy messes unless the lighting is perfect (which it hardly ever is).

 

[JungleNYC]

I'm sure I'll get crushed, but based on these pictures, the iPhone XS camera takes better pictures overall.

The 5 Trillion operation/sec neural engine and new sensor seem to have really stepped up the game on the iPhone.

Yup. Now turn down the noise reduction / "glamour" smoothing on the Xs/XsMax and we'd be in darn good shape.
[doublepost=1539646569][/doublepost]

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.

Yup. The "simpson"-izing of everybody's faces is a problem.

Apple really needs to fine-tune the auto noise reduction, quick.

 

[AustinIllini]

The XS Max appears to have slightly better HDR. All in all, both are good.

It's almost getting to the point where cameras on phones are like OSs on phones: A matter of personal preference

 

[tridley68]

I'am going to have to say the I Phone X Max is better hands down.

 

[Macintoshrumors]

the XS indoors is atrocious, looks like something from 2010. That hyper smoothing/blurring is so apparent... to think people were trying to say "its not that bad! it actually makes your skin look better"

It’s not. You need to get your eyes checked.

 

[MrJeffreyGee]

I am very happy with the photo quality of my iPhone XS Max.

 

[Baymowe335]

I own an XS Max, it's not my picture, it's the author's picture (check the Imgur album). Also, I don't use Google products. For what it's worth, I also think the XS Max takes better outdoor landscape shots than the Pixel 3.

"Axe to grind" lol
[doublepost=1539645607][/doublepost]

Maybe you're right about focus but I've taken pictures with XS Max under similar lighting conditions (indoors, portrait mode) and I've had results that are just as unimpressive.

Then you’re smart enough to not base your decision on the one picture which is out of focus and shot with different zoom.

Also, you don’t know the photographer’s bias.

Lastly, you don’t sound like you’ve done enough apples to apples comparison to really know.

At least in this article, it’s clear some of the iPhone shots look better.

 

[5105973]

Thanks for the Photo Comparisons ! ... Awesome Job ! ... Best I've seen on the internet so far !!

I second this! This article is greatly appreciated. That’s quite a bit of work to post so many pictures framed as close to identically as possible.

 

[Baymowe335]

I think the XS takes better pictures outdoors (what I mostly use mine for anyway). When it comes to portrait mode and indoor low-light, the XS falls short of the Pixel 3 (based on the Imgur album and other photos I've seen from the 3XL). From the Imgur album alone, most of the indoor shots from the XS look terrible and reminded me of old photos I was looking at last night from the iPhone 4 era; that's why I said it takes pics like a phone from 2010.

I'm not some Google shill trying to sell you on anything. I love my XS Max, I love most of the photos I take with it and I wouldn't use any other phone. I'm just telling you what I think from the photos posted here and the photos I've taken with the XS Max myself: indoor (mostly portrait) photos are grainy, mushy messes unless the lighting is perfect (which it hardly ever is).

You also compared it to a 2010 camera...totally ridiculous and it makes you lose credibility. We can sit here and argue, but what’s the point. You already own one and have decided the indoor camera shots are bad. I’m sure someone could post some awesome indoor shots too.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Android fanboys have a strong motive for pushing how great the pixel phone over the iPhone when the differences don’t appear to significant.

I could see that. Not to mention that the camera is just one aspect of the phone. There's much more to a phone than just its camera.

 

[jarman92]

As far as portrait mode goes, that's a big difference, clearly. But we have to remember that portrait mode on iPhone is using the telephoto lens to frame the shot. Since that telephoto lens has a f/2.4 aperture it is getting significantly less light than the Pixel 3's single lens solution is. That's not meant to be an excuse for the iPhone--it's clearly a win for the Pixel--just something to consider. Is the difference that stark when not using portrait mode?

Was thinking the same thing...not sure why OP would give a portrait mode example, other than he had a stark example that "proved" his point. The pics are also clearly taken from different angles/locations, and the Pixel photo appears to have been taken closer.

 

[Xano]

the Pixel 3 photo software is more accurate and natural, the iOS/iPhone still have that ugly skin smoothing effect and overwhelm inside shoots.

 

[Rogifan]

It's almost getting to the point where cameras on phones are like OSs on phones: A matter of personal preference

Or a matter of tribes who will say their tribes photos are the best every time.

 

[DoctorTech]

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.

I agree 100%. Several years ago, before I invested a small fortune in a high end DSLR camera, stobes and lenses, I spent weeks reading reviews and testing various Canon and Nikon cameras. I eventually decided there was no "bad" choice because both were excellent cameras. My personal preference was Canon but I could never understand anyone who chose one brand and hated on the other. Canon and Nikon both make great equipment and to me it is all about personal preference which can be based on some really small, unique criteria.

 

[zakarhino]

Then you’re smart enough to not base your decision on the one picture which is out of focus and shot with different zoom.

Also, you don’t know the photographer’s bias.

Lastly, you don’t sound like you’ve done enough apples to apples comparison to really know.

At least in this article, it’s clear some of the iPhone shots look better.

I've already said multiple times in this thread that I think the XS takes better photos overall. At the end of the day I'm simply not impressed with the quality of photos from the portrait mode on iPhone based on the photos I've taken. You're right, that's all I can conclude because it's the only experience that I have personally that's not from a potentially biased review or picture set. I posted those two pictures from the Imgur album because someone was saying that there's practically no different in the quality of pictures. I disagree with that.

You also compared it to a 2010 camera...totally ridiculous and it makes you lose credibility. We can sit here and argue, but what’s the point. You already own one and have decided the indoor camera shots are bad. I’m sure someone could post some awesome indoor shots too.

Apologies, I didn't know I needed credibility to express an opinion about my smartphone camera. I've owned and used an iPhone 4, I own and use an XS Max, some of the indoor pictures I've seen or taken from the XS remind me of the 4 (quality wise). I didn't think that was a controversial opinion that requires a portfolio of camera experience to express. Maybe I just didn't elaborate enough, I was writing about the indoor photos, not necessarily the overall quality of the camera.

I'd love for someone to post some great indoor portrait shots from their XS, please show/tell me what I'm doing wrong. I've seen a few good ones but most of them are relying on natural light from the outdoors.

 

[pika2000]

Both are fine, but seriously, Pixel 3 is so underwhelming as a whole that the youtubers are bragging about its selfies. Is that the best they can come up with for the Pixel 3? Then it shows how underwhelming it is.

 

[nviz22]

For the $ both devices cost, you're getting a great camera. What should be the difference is software preference. I was contemplating a Pixel 3/3XL about 6 months ago, but I am glad I didn't wait for it.

I couldn't trust 4gb RAM w/ the 845 processor to be reliable for 2-3 years, especially with Google's quality control. At the $899 price point, the specs are disappointing.

4gb RAM w/ iOS and the A12 processor is different due to Apple's innovation. Just my personal take, but I absolutely love the iPhone XS Max. Cameras aren't everything.

 

[Blaze4G]

And yet when iPhone photos are shown under the guise of being Pixel photos, people love them:

Commenters said that the images rivaled DSLR shots and that the Pixel 2 was still among the best smartphone cameras, based on the pictures. Some even commended Google for producing high-quality selfies without the need for having a so-called make-up effect, and argued that the Pixel 2 had the best Portrait Mode of any smartphone. After all of this, Morrison on Sunday revealed that both images were not taken on a Pixel 2, but instead captured on an iPhone XS Max.​

I personally thought this was misleading by that youtuber. In good lighting the iPhone front facinv camera does a great job and has minimal if any skin smoothing. In low light it's obvious. He did the sample pic in great lighting.