S20 Ultra or iPhone 11 pro

[gnGracie]

I too agree that the Pixel is one of the best cameras on the market and *the* best, IMO, if you are strictly limiting your search to Android devices.

My Google Pixel 2's photos rival my S10 ones - not that my S10 takes bad photos, though, it's just that I find that Pixel phones do well with things like moving subjects. My cat is my constant photographing subject and sometimes my S10 has trouble keeping up with the movement.

Let us know what you decide! Also, check out the "Pixel 4 Photos" thread here at Android Central to see some really neat pictures!

Moving subjects (my dog and grandbabies) are the bulk of my photos as well. I've just about decided to go with the iPhone, as much as it pains me. Their camera and video quality make it hard to not jump ship.

 

[gnGracie]

I had an 11 pro, and now a Galaxy Ultra,

I'll be buying a pre owned 11 Pro as soon as possible and getting rid of the Ultra, its just too inconsistent. We have a 10 month old baby, the 11 pro was always better at moving things, I find the Galaxy rarely captures the shot, and when it does there's the horrid skin smoothing. It should be a great camera in theory.

I'm really disappointed that Samsung hasn't really gone all out for photo/video quality to rival iPhone. That skin smoothing effect is for the birds. I want NATURAL pictures in sharp focus

 

[jimmynexus]

I'm really disappointed that Samsung hasn't really gone all out for photo/video quality to rival iPhone. That skin smoothing effect is for the birds. I want NATURAL pictures in sharp focus

I agree there! My girlfriend has the IPhone XR, even that gets more realistic and more detail in skin.

 

[neil74]

Only Huawei offers anything as good as the Pixel in the Android space IMO.

Based on what I have used the current camera heirarchy is something like the following I think:

1 - iPhone 11(all), P40 Pro, Mate 30 Pro, Pixel 4 (in no particular order)
2 - P30 Pro, Pixel 3/3a
3 - OnePlus 8 Pro (not used them yet but I'd guess the MI 10 pro and Oppo Find X would slot in here too)
4 - Mate 20 Pro
5 - iPhone Xs/XR/SE2
6 - S20s, OnePlus 7/7t/Pro
7 - S10s, Note 10

Below that you have probably got LG and then the mid-rangers. YMMV but if camera is your #1 priority I'd probably look elsewhere, I have an Ultra and am just about happy as I have found a GCAM 6.2 port that actually works on exynos. If all I had was the stock app I would have sold it by now. If camera is not your #1 then the S20 Ultra and plus (Not tried the small one) are really nice all round devices.

The hope is of course that Samsung finally realises after a couple of years that people would actually prefer it if they kept people un-smudged and anything moving in the shot sharp rather than blurry. AF aside the hardware is clearly every bit as good as the rest, maybe even better so there could be hope!

 

[jtcannonball]

I'm really disappointed that Samsung hasn't really gone all out for photo/video quality to rival iPhone. That skin smoothing effect is for the birds. I want NATURAL pictures in sharp focus

They are trying and thinking outside of the box. But this is not easy to make perfect in all areas. Probably the most frustrating thing is they were really good around the Note 5 days and my photos came out looking so good more often than not. I don't know what they did to fall behind others. They are not bad, but have clear limitations and hopefully they figure it out soon. I have my 11 Pro Max and it's good, but the phone just leaves me feeling blah...

 

[Morty2264]

Moving subjects (my dog and grandbabies) are the bulk of my photos as well. I've just about decided to go with the iPhone, as much as it pains me. Their camera and video quality make it hard to not jump ship.

I definitely agree with what you are saying. Let us know what you decide! And it's okay to go iPhone - if it meets your needs and works for you, then why not?

 

[donm527]

I think part of the "problem" is that I am guessing Samsung is perfectly fine with how the pictures come out. They have always been known for overexposure and punching up their colors and over-processing or over-softening. they are so use to it, its in their DNA in a way. Their base probably give feedback that they like that look and makes them look better or the picture just pop out on their screens so they lean that direction.

They are trying and thinking outside of the box. But this is not easy to make perfect in all areas. Probably the most frustrating thing is they were really good around the Note 5 days and my photos came out looking so good more often than not. I don't know what they did to fall behind others. They are not bad, but have clear limitations and hopefully they figure it out soon. I have my 11 Pro Max and it's good, but the phone just leaves me feeling blah...

 

[gnGracie]

Only Huawei offers anything as good as the Pixel in the Android space IMO.

Based on what I have used the current camera heirarchy is something like the following I think:

1 - iPhone 11(all), P40 Pro, Mate 30 Pro, Pixel 4 (in no particular order)
2 - P30 Pro, Pixel 3/3a
3 - OnePlus 8 Pro (not used them yet but I'd guess the MI 10 pro and Oppo Find X would slot in here too)
4 - Mate 20 Pro
5 - iPhone Xs/XR/SE2
6 - S20s, OnePlus 7/7t/Pro
7 - S10s, Note 10

Below that you have probably got LG and then the mid-rangers. YMMV but if camera is your #1 priority I'd probably look elsewhere, I have an Ultra and am just about happy as I have found a GCAM 6.2 port that actually works on exynos. If all I had was the stock app I would have sold it by now. If camera is not your #1 then the S20 Ultra and plus (Not tried the small one) are really nice all round devices.

The hope is of course that Samsung finally realises after a couple of years that people would actually prefer it if they kept people un-smudged and anything moving in the shot sharp rather than blurry. AF aside the hardware is clearly every bit as good as the rest, maybe even better so there could be hope!

Thank you for this very informative response! I'll have to look into Huawei. The camera is extremely important to me since my phone has mostly replaced my point and shoot. At this point I've almost decided to go with the iPhone but I'll look at the Huawei first.

 

[donm527]

Huawei may be making top hardware... especially the cameras, but because of all the political going-ons that's involving them, the rest of the software experience has been severely crippled. Mainly, they do not have access to important stuff like Google Play and other Google Services.

Wish that weren't the case but I don't see things changing anytime soon and especially under the current Administration.

Thank you for this very informative response! I'll have to look into Huawei. The camera is extremely important to me since my phone has mostly replaced my point and shoot. At this point I've almost decided to go with the iPhone but I'll look at the Huawei first.

 

[bhatech]

Ever without the ban never preferred Huawei software. Personally not going to miss them one bit. Just because they have slightly better camera isn't enough for me personally. Without Google play it's not even an option anyway. Yes it sucks that competition is reduced but personally Huawei phones aren't for me. There are lots of other options for my needs with good camera as well as good software.

 

[neil74]

The current Huawei / Trump standoff is a real shame although there is something appealing about the idea of de-Googling too. I could live with the loss apps as you really do not lose that many, the real issue with the P40, pro that not many talk about is that most apps use the Google framework to push notifications so you might get the app working just fine but you will not get notifications.

Vs Samsung I do not mind the software, oneui is better but I'd pick the camera over the software if it were not for the ban. OnePlus and Pixel still have the best software IMO. As iOS is in the mix here this is a big year for me at least with iOS, if all we get is the same 6x4 grid with a couple of tweaks then I think I'll be done with them. The apps are probably still slicker overall (gap has closed) but the OS feels like a kids fisher price toy at times.

 

[Notefan161]

I'm a diehard Samsung girl at heart and don't want to switch. With that being said, I'm continually impressed with iPhone photos vs. Samsung photos and I'm considering switching to iPhone just for the photo quality. How does the 20 compare to iPhone for photo quality, particularly low light photos, true colors, etc.?

Thanks for your input.

I would say iPhone 11 Pro Max might be the most complete camera on the market for me. Saying that i would still say S20 is top 3.

 

[Morty2264]

Huawei may be making top hardware... especially the cameras, but because of all the political going-ons that's involving them, the rest of the software experience has been severely crippled. Mainly, they do not have access to important stuff like Google Play and other Google Services.

Wish that weren't the case but I don't see things changing anytime soon and especially under the current Administration.

I feel like if and when this whole thing gets sorted out, I will want to move back to Huawei. But not having access to Google Services makes me a little nervous, for now anyway.

 

[Mrsfwh3]

The iPhone pros models have better camera and better battery life. But there are things that Samsung does that Apple doesn't. I have an 11Pro bc I like its size and a s20. I cannot pick between the 2.

 

[Notefan161]

The iPhone pros models have better camera and better battery life. But there are things that Samsung does that Apple doesn't. I have an 11Pro bc I like its size and a s20. I cannot pick between the 2.

I’m thinking of getting iphone 12 pro max and note 20 plus. How do you manage to use both phones? How’s your normal usage?

 

[Morty2264]

The iPhone pros models have better camera and better battery life. But there are things that Samsung does that Apple doesn't. I have an 11Pro bc I like its size and a s20. I cannot pick between the 2.

Having two at the same time is okay! Smart, even!