When you’re shopping for a new smartphone, there are a few things to consider: pricing, specs, and various features. But for content creators, selfie savants, and photo fanatics, the camera can make or break a smartphone. I’ve spent a couple of weeks with some of the industry’s current heavy hitters and put their cameras and all their features to the test.
In one corner of this tense triumvirate, you have the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Instead of a total overhaul, Apple has made a few notable improvements, including a bump in megapixels for the main camera with an upgraded sensor and faster shutter speed. The biggest change is the addition of the Camera Control button, which allows you to snap pictures much like you would with a point-and-shoot or DSLR. Apple added a host of AI-powered features while retaining popular enhancements like Cinematic and Spatial modes.
Next, we’ve got the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The king of optical zoom, the S24 kept its predecessor’s 100X Space Zoom and 200MP main camera. However, Samsung swapped out the 10X periscope for a 5X telephoto lens. The company also loaded the S24 Ultra with a slew of AI-assisted features.
And last but certainly not least, there’s the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. A relative dark horse in this battle, it’d be unwise to count the Pixel as its predecessors have consistently delivered some of the best images in the business, particularly regarding low-light shots. Google hasn’t tinkered with the formula too much. The wide sensor has a megapixel bump and has gotten slightly larger to capture more light. The sensor’s been enlarged ever so slightly to capture more light. The ultrawide lens also got a boost. Thanks to Google Gemini, editing photos and videos has never been so easy.
Specs
Camera-wise, it was an incremental year for our flagship phones, with none of them really introducing any defining hardware. With the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the ultrawide camera leaps to 48MP with a ƒ/2.2 aperture from last year’s 12MP. The main Fusion camera is also 48MP with a ƒ/1.78 aperture. As for the 12MP telephoto, you’ve got the 5x digital zoom and a 25x digital zoom from last year. The front camera also has a 12MP sensor with an f/1.9 aperture.
Samsung bids adieu to the 10X periscope sensor in favor of a 5X 50-MP telephoto camera with significantly improved resolution, enabling optical-grade zoom up to 10X. The sensor retains its predecessor, 100X Space Zoom. The 200MP (f/1.7 aperture) main camera returns, as does the 12MP (f/2.2 aperture) ultrawide camera, matching the front shooter.
The Pro XL’s 50-MP (f/3.4 aperture) wide sensor has been enlarged ever so slightly to capture more light. The primary camera’s 200MP (f/1.7 aperture) sensor is ideal for night mode and depth effects. The ultrawide camera got the biggest improvement, jumping up to a full 48MP sensor (ƒ/1.7 aperture) from last year’s 12MP offering. However, the telephoto camera stays at 48MP, along with last year’s 5x optical zoom and 30x Super Res Zoom. The front camera is 42MP with an ƒ/2.2 aperture.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes this round on paper due to its 200MP main sensor and the telephoto camera’s ridiculous zoom capabilities.
Features
©Photo: Charles Anthony Davis/DreamSmith LLCMuch has been made about each flagship’s camera’s AI capabilities related to photography and videography. However, each smartphone has some baked-in, non-AI features we need to explore. The Pixel, for example, has Top Shot, which takes a short video when you hit the photo button to capture a motion photo or pick the best photo in the series of shots. Action Pan locks onto a moving subject while blurring the background, while Long Exposure does the exact opposite, blurring the subject while the background remains crystal clear. There are also Pro controls, including shooting at 50MP, RAW, or Manual, which lets you pick which lens is used.
iPhone features include Macro Mode for taking close-up shots. Apple has also thrown in 14 new photographic styles to add some flair to your images via stylish filters. There’s Spatial Photo mode if you have an Apple Vision Pro headset or just want a cool 3D photo. And if The Weeknd is using the phone to shoot a whole music video, you know there are professional settings to tweak to get a more polished result, including accessing PRO-RAW mode. And, of course, there’s the new Camera Control button where you can launch the camera, take a photo or video, and queue up camera settings with a light press.
And then there’s Samsung. In the past, the company has loaded its smartphones with a plethora of camera features to the point of being overwhelming. Over the years, Samsung has learned to hone in on features most people would actually use. The Galaxy S24 Ultra includes a mode for Food photography; Single Take captures multiple shots that you can parse through and choose the best shots for a number of different situations, such as Highlight Videos, Boomerang clips, Filtered pictures, and Collages to name a few. And similar to its competitors, the S24 also has Pro and Expert RAW modes.
Regarding non-AI features, this round goes to the iPhone, as it has a wider feature set, including 14 Photographic Styles and Spatial Photos, that lets you take 3D shots for Vision Pro. Plus, the phone has a nifty, customizable Camera Control button.
AI
Nowadays, AI is everywhere, so why should your photos be any different? When the burgeoning technology isn’t creating artistic monstrosities with extra fingers and toes, it’s doing a bang-up job of turning our images into masterpieces. However, Google, Apple, and Samsung are using artificial intelligence to enhance on-board photo editing in an attempt to gain parity with some of the more popular software on the market, such as Adobe Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, and GIMP.
Google’s Add Me feature
Google has been at the forefront of AI-powered photo editing, starting with the Magic Editor that nowadays automatically crop, resize, extend, and reframe shots. You can also move and resize objects, remove them, and tweak color and lighting. Straight out of your favorite crime procedural comes Zoom Enhance, which allows you to zoom in on your subject after snapping the pic without losing image quality. Best Shot captures several shots in one go and lets you choose the best result for everyone in the shot, which is handy for group photos. Speaking of group shots, Add Me has quickly become one of my favorite AI features as it seamlessly combines two photos into one so the photographer can also be in the shot. And finally, there’s Reimagine Me, which can create an entirely new image via text-based prompts thanks to generative AI.
Samsung uses Galaxy AI to levy its AI photo-editing wares in the company’s Gallery app. The Edit Suggestions feature allows you to edit the image using recommended effects such as Remaster, Erase Reflections, or Erase Shadows. Generative Edit removes unwanted objects from an image by drawing a circle around the offending subject. You can also use this feature to relocate or resize objects in the photo. You can also add AI-generated drawings to your images with the Sketch to Edit feature. At the same time, Portrait Studio lets you reimagine your shot in several styles, including Watercolor or 3D Cartoon.
Apple also offers generative AI photo editing, allowing you to erase unwanted objects or people from photos easily. However, this is as far as Apple is willing to go (for now) with AI-enhanced photos, as the company feels photographers don’t want or appreciate a thick layer of AI.
With its ever-growing catalog of AI features, Google continues to push the envelope of what its cameras can do pre- and post-shoot. That’s why the Pixel takes this round.
Wide
Wow, this was a really hard round to judge. In most of the shots, the phones are nearly a dead heat. It took a look of scouring over detail, color, and contrast and going back and forth with my boyfriend, a professional photographer, to determine the winners.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
Let’s start with my Droltza Tzuentes Halloween costume. The color tone and temperature were very close in all three shots, particularly in my bubblegum pink locs and mocha skin tone, except the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which was a tad darker. But the Pixel 9 Pro XL ultimately took this round as it had the cleanest details zooming in, showing all the stray eyebrow hairs signaling I’m overdue for a threading appointment.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
But in a shot of a bunch of crystals on a table, it was a tie between the Pixel and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in terms of detail. The black and pink orb at the top of the decor feature looked the sharpest on the S24 Ultra, complete with a solid reflection. And speaking of reflection, the Samsung had the best reflections of the bunch, including a mini pyramid and a black metal holder. If you look at the objects in the foreground, like the ivory-and-sandalwood-colored egg, the Pixel is the clear winner.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
And before you count the iPhone out, check out my shots of a few pomegranates. Not only did the Pro Max produce better color, but you can see blemishes and striations in the waxy red rind that you can’t see in the other images unless you zoom in. You can even see the groove in the knife handle.
This round is too close to call, so the Wide shot round is a draw.
Ultrawide
Looking at the test shot for this round, I concluded that the iPhone delivers the most natural color, while the Samsung tends towards oversaturation, and the Pixel splits the baby.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
In my first shot of a couple of apartment buildings, the iPhone’s efforts were a bit dull compared to the S24 and Pixel. Upon closer inspection, the S24 had cleaner details, particularly when zooming in on the buildings’ windows and brick faces.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max gave the best result in a shot of a neighborhood street. It best represented the tree with its fiery red leaves and the red brick building. Zooming in also gave the clearest detail of the construction site next door.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max won this round due to its color, clarity, and overall photo quality.
Low light
How far we’ve come with smartphone low-light photography. Instead of blurry blobs in darkened settings, we get photos with crisp color and good definition, depending on the lighting situation (or lack thereof). No matter what the flagship phone is, there must be some lighting for effective night-mode shots. For these low-light shots, I took them in environments with dimmed lighting. I also took some in near darkness.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
In the first shot of my basement floor, I have the dimmer at the absolute lowest it can go. Although you can clearly see everything in all three shots, the iPhone gave a darker result, while the Pixel and S24 produced much brighter images. The Pixel had a more accurate color, as my Hulk, Michonne, and Sully figurines showed. However, the light reflections on the TV are sharper on the S24 Ultra.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
After turning the lights off, I took the same shot, and the results were not as good as you can see. Outside of the lighting from a gaming desktop and other ambient tech backlighting, the entire scene is dark. The only thing you can sort of make out in each photo is Sully’s silhouette. It’s clearest in the Pixel, followed by the S24 Ultra and a blurry blob from the iPhone.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
My last shot is in a darkened American Legion in small-town America. The Pixel came out on top with the clearest shot and best color. The iPhone comes in second here, but it lacks the sharpness of the Pixel. Meanwhile, the Samsung takes last place. Because while you can see everything in the photo, it’s seriously blurry compared to the other two phones.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL won this round as it performed the best in low-light conditions, even when there was very little light.
Portrait
Back to my Halloween outfit, but now in Portrait mode. Again, all three phones gave excellent results, to the point that I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to declare a winner. Even my professional had some difficulty choosing a winner. First things first, the color. I was impressed with how good my skin looked in each photo. While Samsung phones tend to be oversaturated, with the lighting employed, the S24 Ultra was spot on. My hair and the freaky pink contacts popped in each photo.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
So it’s time to check out the details when it’s close like this. But even that was hard, as you could see every ridge in my horns, the creases in the wings, and even the slight impression made on my skin from the sharp red nails. Zooming in revealed the winner. However, after some intense examination of the corset’s side paneling, I noticed the iPhone had more creases, and the skirt’s lace pattern was a bit clearer.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max also gave the best results during the next round of photos. The subject’s skin not only looked warmer, you can also see every hair, even the ones caught in his navy blue cap. I also like the bokeh, although the S24 Ultra has a deeper one.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max takes this round, delivering warmer tones with nice, crisp definition.
Selfie
We have a tale of three pinks for our first shots, with each photo casting my hair and eyes in a different shade. The Pixel’s shot looked more washed out than those of its competitors, and while my skin tone was more accurate on the S24 Ultra, my hair was lighter than the actual color. That left the iPhone as the clear winner in color and sharpness, as it caught a few gray hairs and some lipstick smudging on my fangs.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
If nothing else, my second set of selfies confirms that I need to visit my hairstylist ASAP. Aside from a worrying amount of gray hair, my black Snek plushie looks great. But the iPhone looks the best for the best representation of my skin and the deep grooves across my sweater’s collar.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
Thanks to its accurate colors and crisp details, the iPhone 16 Pro Max takes this round.
Panorama
Taking panoramic shots is one part technology, one part speed and balance.
©Samsung Galaxy 24 UltraWith my pano test images, the Samsung had the most flaws, as evidenced by the wobbly-looking banister and the overall compact look of the image. The iPhone’s attempt is a lot more spacious than Samsung’s offering.
©iPhone 16 Pro MaxWhile the railings are straighter than the previous phones, they still have some irregularities. Another snafu is at the top of the image, where you’ll see a jagged edge where I let my hand go a little lower than the rest of the shot. I corrected it, of course, but the damage was already done.
©Google Pixel 9 Pro XLThe Pixel 9 Pro XL delivered the best result: a sprawling scene, straight banisters, moody clouds, and setting sun. Google’s guidelines help prevent any inadvertent hand slippage, making for uniform image capture throughout.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL wins this round for its ease of use and smooth results.
Digital Zoom
With 100X Space Zoom, this round belongs to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. While it doesn’t reach the lofty heights of Samsung’s astrophotography claims, the zoom is pretty impressive. In a pic of a faraway tree, the Samsung had the furthest reach, capturing the tippy top of the tree. However, it should be noted that in pursuit of that close-up shot, the S24 lost a lot of definition. But it’s still pretty impressive.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
I took a shot of the Manhattan skyline from my rooftop in Brooklyn. Again, the S24 Ultra’s digital zoom extended the furthest, allowing me to focus on the top of the building. However, if sharpness is the goal, the Pixel 9 Pro XL excelled with detail. However, details would be different with a sturdy tripod to alleviate the inevitable sway brought on by human hands.
From left to right: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has the most powerful digital zoom on the market.
Verdict
This is one of the toughest face-offs I’ve done in a while. And it’s all due to how good smartphone cameras have gotten over the years. So, let’s talk about the runners-up, starting with Samsung. The Galaxy S24 Ultra undeniably takes great photos. The photos are vivid, often toeing the line of oversaturation, but more times than not, it makes for a great photo. And in digital zoom, there’s no one better in the smartphone arena. I’d love to see a couple more AI-assisted photo-editing features. But, in terms of detail and sharpness, Samsung has a bit of work to do to catch up with the competition.
Google, quiet as it’s kept, has some of the best smartphone cameras in the game right now. In my years reviewing smartphones, the Pixel has become one of the best low-light cameras. In the case of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it serves up excellent photos in its own right, and that’s without AI. And speaking of artificial intelligence, Google is the vanguard of AI photo-editing, rivaling what you can do with Adobe or DaVinci. That said, Google also has a few kinks to work out.
And then there’s our winner, the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Historically, Apple has worn the smartphone crown for years, cameras notwithstanding. However, the iPhone has been heralded for its camera quality for many years, even if there are only incremental improvements. For the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the larger sensor and faster shutter speed paid off. And the Camera Control button is definitely convenient. Throw in the AI and Apple’s special camera features and its burgeoning AI photo-editing capabilities, and you’ve got enough to hold off any challengers for now. With the S25 Ultra and Pixel 10 on the horizon, it’s not impossible to think that the iPhone could be dethroned in the future.
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