Single-Lens Google Pixel 2 Camera Takes Top Spot From iPhone 8 Plus in DxO Labs Tests

[melendezest]

I honestly don't care that much about the minute differences in photo quality between all the high-end competitors in this segment. They're all very good.

I can say that the camera is about the last thing I look at when buying a smartphone because of this.

It's all hardware and software features that make the difference for me. And Google removing the headphone jack from their phone makes me glad I didn't wait for them and went Sammy yet again.

Bluetooth reliability sucks for audio, FRAK dongles, and great-sounding headphones can be had for $10, because the tech is so mature. Those with families certainly appreciate this fact, because kids are irresponsible as hell, especially with easy-to-misplace headphones.

The Apple copying needs to stop; thank God Sammy and a few others figured this out. This is what I hate the most about Apple's current influence in the industry. They are in the habit of eliminating features, and others think they need to follow suit.

Shame on you Google. You're supposed to be the "when iDon't, Droid does" company, for FRAK's sake.

 

[symphony]

Who the hell cares what DxO gives the score.

 

[TonnyM]

Again, that's speculation just like the idea that they were bribing DxO for the scores. If they were manipulating the performance, doesn't it raise the question as to why Google would choose to then reduce its performance on the mass-produced units? Apart from maybe slowing camera performance down to speed up non-camera related processes, what else could they do to reduce it's performance down? The hardware is still there, and if anything, you'd think Google would look to improve it further with software.

However, if you're saying that they've also manipulated or specifically engineered the hardware for DxO, then i'm sure they can be reverified by DxO post-release. But again, why would Google risk heavy penalties for misleading consumers and bad publicity because of this supposed stunt.

Bottom line is, DxO is only one reviewer of many and the ultimate review will come from yourself.

There are facts and speculations. Fact: DxOMark was the only ‘tester’ that got access to Pixel before it was announced, all other guys had their first hands on yesterday. Fact: only Google hyped their ranking at the event two years in a row at that extend, Apple sometimes gets better scores, sometimes worse, but they didn’t even put it in a press release, they don’t give a sh..t. How far DxO ‘tests’ influenced final Pixel camera software we have no idea, but it doesn’t look good.

 

[pat500000]

Rather than focusing on camera, phones should be tested for user's experience.

 

[TrueBlou]

Rather than focusing on camera, phones should be tested for user's experience.

Kind of why I'm still sticking with iOS so far for my main device. Tried HTC, hated their interface. Tried Samsung, hated their interface. Tried... yeah we see where this is going.

I know you can mod Android as much as you like, but you shouldn't have to just for a good interface. Which is why the only Android devices I've bought and kept thus far have been Google's own ones. Even then there's some things interface-wise I'd like to see changed and I'm sure in time they will be.

 

[Guidonculous]

I’m interested to know how these flagship phones compare to compact point-and-shoots. Is the scoring in any way cross-compatible?

These numbers are completely fictitious. You could just as easily compare them to paint samples, spaghetti, or anything else as to another camera.

People can have all the opinions they want about which photos are best, and there are obviously some ways one picture could be objectively better than another; but assigning subjective scores to subjective opinions, not taken from a panel, and with no clear methods of judgement is simply useless.

Like, in gymnastics you lose points for each fault you make, and the various moves you perform during your routine set your max score. These scores actually have context relative to one another. Nothing similar is happening here.

 

[deanthedev]

Curious, what is your issue with the rest of the phone?

I have to agree the design is conservitive (which I personally like), but specs inside it aren’t much different than the competitors.

Exactly. Same specs as all the others for a Google flagship, which should set the standard. Doesn’t even have dual cameras.

 

[Phonephreak]

None of this matters, as most idiots take pictures with fingerprint smudged lenses anyway. That's going to be a much bigger problem for the Note 8, thanks to the terrible placement of the fingerprint sensor. Though, in all reality, I doubt many Note 8 users even use them, as nobody using Android knows anything about security.

Thanks for the rant on the note 8 camera placement. Post is about the pixel and iPhone.

 

[840quadra]

Exactly. Same specs as all the others for a Google flagship, which should set the standard. Doesn’t even have dual cameras.

I can’t wait until the dual camera garbage is over (personally). Hoping we start to see actual zoom lenses within phones coming up soon.

As others have stated earlier, I don’t think Google needs to be a leader in the specs race, they need to lead on the software and efficiency track. Judging by what they discussed / showed of during the keynote, I think they are doing just fine with regards to software and services.

 

[jonnysods]

Nothing like competition. I'm loving the Pixel 2. I don't want it, but it lights a fire under everyone just like the X will.

 

[macTW]

I still prefer the iPhone 8 plus’ camera. Pixel uses software only to make their photos “good” while iPhone uses a better camera.

 

[ghanwani]

what is the iphone se rated at?

 

[honglong1976]

Based on your comment, it looks like Tim didn't pay enough, right?

Got it in one!

 

[macTW]

Everyone is buying the X out of stock anyway since 6, 6S, 7 and 8 are almost the same phone with little iterations and X is only one with new design.

The 6 and 6s are iterations of the same phone. The 7 is completely different, but with a similar casing. The 8 is a complete redesign, just visually looks the same.

I agree with the rest of your post, but to call all four the same is ignorance.

 

[doelcm82]

I remember a time when apple released products, they blew everyone else out of the water and they sold for a premium price.
Now they seem happy to be second best and still sell at a premium price. Sitting on technology until they are forced to keep up.

Funny. During the time you remember so fondly, I remember people complaining that Apple was sitting on technology so they'd have something to entice people to upgrade the following year. The first iPhone didn't even have 3G, or cut and paste, Other phones did, and don't pretend people weren't commenting on that.

Steve Jobs would never have done some of the things that Steve Jobs did.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I can’t wait until the dual camera garbage is over (personally). Hoping we start to see actual zoom lenses within phones coming up soon.

As others have stated earlier, I don’t think Google needs to be a leader in the specs race, they need to lead on the software and efficiency track. Judging by what they discussed / showed of during the keynote, I think they are doing just fine with regards to software and services.

Google certainly does set the standard for AI, and they have caught up and possibly surpassed Apple for how well their products work together. Google has been ahead in the services category since prior to iOS existing. Whether or not it is desirable, I do not know, but, why don't iPhone apps work on Mac OS?

 

[ipedro]

Seems like Google has finally drawn up the courage to exclude a headphone jack.

 

[deanthedev]

I can’t wait until the dual camera garbage is over (personally). Hoping we start to see actual zoom lenses within phones coming up soon.

As others have stated earlier, I don’t think Google needs to be a leader in the specs race, they need to lead on the software and efficiency track. Judging by what they discussed / showed of during the keynote, I think they are doing just fine with regards to software and services.

What about AR? First Google tells us you need specialized sensors (Tango). Then Apple introduces ARKit. Google follows with ARCore and suddenly Tango isn’t really needed?

Dual cameras are for more than just telephoto when taking pictures. They allow a better AR experience by offering depth measurement. What if Google adds dual camera support to ARCore? Your expensive flagship is suddenly left behind while other Android devices are still current.

As to software/ services, I didn’t really see any big leaps from what Google already had. What groundbreaking new features did Oreo bring? Only one I think is done really well is notification channels. The other main features are all under-the-hood stuff.

 

[pat500000]

Seems like Google has finally drawn up the courage to exclude a headphone jack.

Yeah, but they have the courage to give them USB C charger and 3.5 jack adapter.

 

[TrueBlou]

Funny. During the time you remember so fondly, I remember people complaining that Apple was sitting on technology so they'd have something to entice people to upgrade the following year. The first iPhone didn't even have 3G, or cut and paste, Other phones did, and don't pretend people weren't commenting on that.

In my 20 ish years with Apple that’s always seemed to be the case. There’s always at least one thing in every product missing for no reason most of us could fathom other than, it’ll be in next years model.

 

[Leguna24]

I still prefer the iPhone 8 plus’ camera. Pixel uses software only to make their photos “good” while iPhone uses a better camera.

That is kind of silly, to say the least.

 

[0lf]

The iPhone X only improves on the telephoto. That is used a fraction of the time. Nothing special over the 8. The sense used 99.9% of the time is the sensor of concern.

On my camera, I don't take 99.9% of my pictures at maximum WA. If I have a good quality zoom on my phone, same will happen...

 

[ipedro]

Yeah, but they have the courage to give them USB C charger and 3.5 jack adapter.

I don't see the uproar. Suddenly, all the "we need a headphone jack" critics disappeared.

 

[FriednTested]

I honestly don't care that much about the minute differences in photo quality between all the high-end competitors in this segment. They're all very good.

I can say that the camera is about the last thing I look at when buying a smartphone because of this.

It's all hardware and software features that make the difference for me. And Google removing the headphone jack from their phone makes me glad I didn't wait for them and went Sammy yet again.

Bluetooth reliability sucks for audio, FRAK dongles, and great-sounding headphones can be had for $10, because the tech is so mature. Those with families certainly appreciate this fact, because kids are irresponsible as hell, especially with easy-to-misplace headphones.

The Apple copying needs to stop; thank God Sammy and a few others figured this out. This is what I hate the most about Apple's current influence in the industry. They are in the habit of eliminating features, and others think they need to follow suit.

Shame on you Google. You're supposed to be the "when iDon't, Droid does" company, for FRAK's sake.

Exactly how Sammy was the saviour with removable batteries. And made fun of apple. And then next year? Don’t be too heartbroken if Sammy removes the jack with the 9 series

 

[WoodrowCall]

I'm excited to hear this! I just ordered my Pixel 2XL yesterday and should have it by the 23rd! A huge point of this is the camera is great, but integration with Google Pohotos is phenomenal! It's so easy to share, I love the little gifts that Google makes for me, and it's such a relief to have unlimited high-quality storage. It was the difference-maker that led me to make the switch away from my iPhone 7!