Camera Comparison: iPhone 24 Ultra vs Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Samsung S24 Ultra

Introduction

• Testing video stabilization with new phones: iPhone 24 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Samsung S24 Ultra
• Capturing comparisons of photos and videos
• Timeline for editing is 1 hour 45 minutes long
• Using a makeshift trident for simultaneous photos

Housekeeping Points

• iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max share the same camera system
• No more 3x zoom on the smaller iPhone
• iOS 18 updates include:
  • Pause video recording button
  • Cleanup tool in photos app (requires Apple intelligence)
• Improvements:
  • Revamped photography mode
  • Audio mix feature
  • 4K 120 fps slow motion

Camera Specs

iPhone 16 Pro

• 48MP Ultra Wide (up from 12MP)
• Faster main sensor for quicker shots
• Anti-glare coating on lenses

Pixel 9 Pro XL

• 3 lenses
• 5x optical zoom limit in photography

Samsung S24 Ultra

• 200MP main camera
• 4 lenses: 3x, 5x
• Capable of up to 100x zoom

Blind Photo Test

• Initial preference for photo brightness and punchiness
• Photos compared:
  • Left: Samsung S24
  • Middle: iPhone
  • Right: Pixel

Zoom Comparison

• iPhone: 25x zoom
• Samsung: Up to 100x zoom
• Pixel: Limited to 3x for portrait mode
• iPhone’s ability to toggle portrait mode on/off is a win

Portrait Shots

• Samsung: 5x portrait; Pixel: 3x limit
• iPhone allows depth adjustment of portraits
• Differences in colors and vibrancy across devices
• Personal preferences may vary based on skin tones and light conditions

Low Light Comparison

• iPhone's aggressive white balance alters true colors
• Samsung performed well in color handling in low light
• Pixel showed improvement but lost details in shadows

Video Quality

• All phones shot in 4K60
• iPhone preferred for stabilization and smooth transitions
• Samsung struggled with color accuracy and noise in shadows
• iPhone offers cinema-like feel

Low Light Video

• iPhone best for low light quality
• Pixel presented the best selfie video quality

Unique Features

iPhone

• Photo styles for enhanced editing
• ProRes and Log capabilities for video
• New audio mix feature for improved sound quality

Pixel

• Advanced features in Google Photos
• AdMe feature for group photos
• Best astrophotography mode

Samsung

• Extra lens options for versatility
• Unique features:
  • Dual recording
  • Expert RAW app
  • Galaxy AI for image enhancements

Conclusion

• Photography: Pixel excels, especially for selfies
• Video: iPhone leads with features and quality
• Versatility: Samsung offers a variety of options
• Open for discussion: Which phone do you think wins?