200MP vs 1-inch – testing the best Android phones for photography

Introduction

Here at GSMArena, we’re shutterbugs above the rest. Camera upgrades are most likely the single greatest purpose we get enthusiastic about new flagship telephone releases, and on the subject of these, we have positively been spoiled in the final couple of years.

We’ve seen so many nice phones come round, with every outdoing the subsequent in {hardware} and software program, with photography enhancements coming in leaps and bounds. Our workplace has seen many heated discussions about which telephone has the best digital camera. Frankly, we have been all trying ahead to developing with a direct head-to-head comparability that may settle this – not less than for the time being.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra • Xiaomi 12S Ultra • Xiaomi 13 Pro • vivo X90 Pro

So we determined to pit a number of of the best Android digital camera phones towards each other in a photography-solely bout. We have lined up the new Galaxy S23 Ultra, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Vivo X90 Pro, in addition to the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, and we shot just a few (hundred) photographs and put them facet by facet and see what’s what. We meant to have the Pixel 7 Pro on this comparability, however this one was not obtainable at the time of testing in order that we would embody it in a comply with-as much as this head-to-head.

Three of those phones have a 1-inch sort sensor, one has 200 million pixels, all of them can seize 8k video, and a few can zoom to the moon and again from the consolation of your pocket. One would possibly even say they do not even must see the moon to take an image of it (too quickly?). It’s loopy to assume phones have come this far. It’s even crazier to assume what shall be attainable in just some extra years.

But let’s deal with the these days and see which telephone deserves to be referred to as the best digital camera telephone in 2023. We’re specializing in photograph-taking for this one to maintain issues manageable. Video is an entire different factor totally.

We’re additionally specializing in the essential, ultrawide, and midrange zoom cameras on the Galaxy, Xiaomi, and Vivo – Samsung’s 10x zoom is extra of a specialty lens that does not immediately examine to the midrange zooms of our chosen phones. We’re additionally taking a look at behind-the-lens efficiency so that you simply will not see any selfies right here.

Two Pros, Two Ultras: vivo X90 Pro • Xiaomi 13 Pro • Galaxy S23 Ultra • Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Finally, we’re taking a look at straight-out-of-the-digital camera outcomes. We’re not doing put up-processing or RAW enhancing. Every telephone on this lineup has the skill to shoot RAW in addition to highly effective constructed-in apps and options to present the budding photographer extra methods to seize the second – our goal is to see which telephone offers you the best baseline.

Sound like enjoyable? Let’s take a look at some photographs.