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Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?

Started 9 months ago | Questions
Joel Batts Contributing Member • Posts: 564
Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality.  I hear good things about the image quality of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra.  Any other contender, not counting iPhone?

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Sho-Bud
Sho-Bud Contributing Member • Posts: 712
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?

I'm waiting to see how the upcoming Xiaomi 12 Ultra will do.

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fuego6
fuego6 Senior Member • Posts: 2,525
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?
1

I loved my Mi 10 Ultra... so, if you don't care about the actual phone features (which are terrible on US ATT), then I would go for the Mi 12 Ultra when released.

Also, can't be disappointed in any Huawai Pro 50 phone...

Nielk Mike Senior Member • Posts: 1,466
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?
1

After Huawei 30 Pro and OnePlus 9 pro, I am on a Google Pixel 6. All three cameras (UAW, Wide and tele) render sharp images (unlike the OnePlus 9 Pro, the UAW of which had smeared corners). So my vote goes towards the Pixel 6

KenTel
KenTel Senior Member • Posts: 2,567
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?

My best of five is the OPPO Reno4 5G.

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Glen Barrington
Glen Barrington Forum Pro • Posts: 22,535
Right now, Pixel 6 Pro or Honor Magic4 Ultimate says DXO

Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality. I hear good things about the image quality of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra. Any other contender, not counting iPhone?

It has a #8 ranking globally.  And a #1 ranking in high end phones, with the 6a a close second.  I am confused by the discrepancy between the two rankings.  I would think the two sets of rankings would at least be closer to each other.

The Honor phone takes the lead in the Global ranking.  It doesn't seem to be listed in the High end ranking at all.

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Djingonthenet Regular Member • Posts: 120
Re: Right now, Pixel 6 Pro or Honor Magic4 Ultimate says DXO

Glen Barrington wrote:

Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality. I hear good things about the image quality of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra. Any other contender, not counting iPhone?

It has a #8 ranking globally. And a #1 ranking in high end phones, with the 6a a close second. I am confused by the discrepancy between the two rankings. I would think the two sets of rankings would at least be closer to each other.

The Honor phone takes the lead in the Global ranking. It doesn't seem to be listed in the High end ranking at all.

The Honor Magic 4 Ultimate is in the Ultra Premium category as is the S22 Ultra.

For me, if I had to chose one irrespective of phone/app functionality it would be the Huawei P50 Pro, I had the Mate 40 pro which is still the best phone and camera set up that I've owned, including my current phone (Mi 11 ultra) all three are way ahead of the usual big brands.

fuego6
fuego6 Senior Member • Posts: 2,525
Re: Right now, Pixel 6 Pro or Honor Magic4 Ultimate says DXO
1

Djingonthenet wrote:

Glen Barrington wrote:

Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality. I hear good things about the image quality of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra. Any other contender, not counting iPhone?

It has a #8 ranking globally. And a #1 ranking in high end phones, with the 6a a close second. I am confused by the discrepancy between the two rankings. I would think the two sets of rankings would at least be closer to each other.

The Honor phone takes the lead in the Global ranking. It doesn't seem to be listed in the High end ranking at all.

The Honor Magic 4 Ultimate is in the Ultra Premium category as is the S22 Ultra.

For me, if I had to chose one irrespective of phone/app functionality it would be the Huawei P50 Pro, I had the Mate 40 pro which is still the best phone and camera set up that I've owned, including my current phone (Mi 11 ultra) all three are way ahead of the usual big brands.

If you don't live in the US that is..... if you in the US and you want to actually use these are a reliable phone/text/email item - skip it!  My Mi 10 Ultra is a nice brick on my desk thx to ATT dropping 3G support.... missing calls, missed texts, missed email about 80% of the time since it can't find an adequate 4G band at all.

Djingonthenet Regular Member • Posts: 120
Re: Right now, Pixel 6 Pro or Honor Magic4 Ultimate says DXO

fuego6 wrote:

Djingonthenet wrote:

Glen Barrington wrote:

Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality. I hear good things about the image quality of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra. Any other contender, not counting iPhone?

It has a #8 ranking globally. And a #1 ranking in high end phones, with the 6a a close second. I am confused by the discrepancy between the two rankings. I would think the two sets of rankings would at least be closer to each other.

The Honor phone takes the lead in the Global ranking. It doesn't seem to be listed in the High end ranking at all.

The Honor Magic 4 Ultimate is in the Ultra Premium category as is the S22 Ultra.

For me, if I had to chose one irrespective of phone/app functionality it would be the Huawei P50 Pro, I had the Mate 40 pro which is still the best phone and camera set up that I've owned, including my current phone (Mi 11 ultra) all three are way ahead of the usual big brands.

If you don't live in the US that is..... if you in the US and you want to actually use these are a reliable phone/text/email item - skip it! My Mi 10 Ultra is a nice brick on my desk thx to ATT dropping 3G support.... missing calls, missed texts, missed email about 80% of the time since it can't find an adequate 4G band at all.

OP said phone features aren't an issue just image quality, even so these are more up to date phones, worldwide variants have to accommodate many bands (not sure why America is completely different to everywhere else) so can't imagine why they wouldn't work. Chinese variants may be restricted, I'll be visiting America in the near future with whatever Chinese branded phone that I'll be using (currently mi 11 Ultra) and expect it to work when i get there just like every other visitor would, no matter where they travel.

fuego6
fuego6 Senior Member • Posts: 2,525
Re: Right now, Pixel 6 Pro or Honor Magic4 Ultimate says DXO
1

Djingonthenet wrote:

fuego6 wrote:

Djingonthenet wrote:

Glen Barrington wrote:

Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality. I hear good things about the image quality of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra. Any other contender, not counting iPhone?

It has a #8 ranking globally. And a #1 ranking in high end phones, with the 6a a close second. I am confused by the discrepancy between the two rankings. I would think the two sets of rankings would at least be closer to each other.

The Honor phone takes the lead in the Global ranking. It doesn't seem to be listed in the High end ranking at all.

The Honor Magic 4 Ultimate is in the Ultra Premium category as is the S22 Ultra.

For me, if I had to chose one irrespective of phone/app functionality it would be the Huawei P50 Pro, I had the Mate 40 pro which is still the best phone and camera set up that I've owned, including my current phone (Mi 11 ultra) all three are way ahead of the usual big brands.

If you don't live in the US that is..... if you in the US and you want to actually use these are a reliable phone/text/email item - skip it! My Mi 10 Ultra is a nice brick on my desk thx to ATT dropping 3G support.... missing calls, missed texts, missed email about 80% of the time since it can't find an adequate 4G band at all.

OP said phone features aren't an issue just image quality, even so these are more up to date phones, worldwide variants have to accommodate many bands (not sure why America is completely different to everywhere else) so can't imagine why they wouldn't work. Chinese variants may be restricted, I'll be visiting America in the near future with whatever Chinese branded phone that I'll be using (currently mi 11 Ultra) and expect it to work when i get there just like every other visitor would, no matter where they travel.

I wish you luck with your phone.... maybe the newer models have better bands that work in the US... the Mi 10 ultra apparatenly does not since it couldn't connect to ATT 4G bands, wanted to fall back to the 3G ones but they weren't there any longer so no dice.  Not sure why anyone wouldn't want their mobile device to work well for email, text messaging, media consumption and making phone calls ... if I want the device only for taking photos, I'll use my cameras!

Glen Barrington
Glen Barrington Forum Pro • Posts: 22,535
It will probably work
1

But it likely won't be the same as in your home country. I don't think it is the bands so much as it is the supporting infrastructure. Our reliance on Chinese tech is much lower than most other places, so there may, but not certain, be some issues. It might even depend on the specific vendor you use in your country.

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atom14
atom14 Veteran Member • Posts: 3,299
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?
1

Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality.

...

This is curious on a moment's reflection...

OK, well, you select a phone on the basis of its camera image quality...?

(Have you thought of actually getting a capable camera?)

fuego6
fuego6 Senior Member • Posts: 2,525
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?
1

atom14 wrote:

Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality.

...

This is curious on a moment's reflection...

OK, well, you select a phone on the basis of its camera image quality...?

(Have you thought of actually getting a capable camera?)

See my comment above too...

Rodolfo Contributing Member • Posts: 837
Re: It will probably work

Our? Not really: Apple, among others, is highly reliant on Chinese tech.

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Glen Barrington
Glen Barrington Forum Pro • Posts: 22,535
Re: It will probably work
1

Rodolfo wrote:

Our? Not really: Apple, among others, is highly reliant on Chinese tech.

I'm not talking about the phones, I'm talking about the carrier infrastructure.  But Apple and Samsung, and Google might use Chinese factories, but their important tech is hom grown.

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StevenN Senior Member • Posts: 1,549
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?
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Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality. I hear good things about the image quality of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra. Any other contender, not counting iPhone?

I took this quick grab shot with my Pixel 6a while leaving a restaurant downtown last night. The camera was in Night Sight mode. No editing, except for resizing it smaller.

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StevenN

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Craig Gillette Forum Pro • Posts: 12,983
Re: Right now, Pixel 6 Pro or Honor Magic4 Ultimate says DXO
1

Hmmh, interesting. I live here and don't fully expect my phone to work all the time wherever I travel. It's perhaps complicated.

The older US 2G and 3G systems, using CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM (Global System for Mobiles) weren't compatible and some providers used one, some the other. Other (non-US) areas started up in 4G LTE. In the US, now, the transition to 4G is essentially complete. 5G is now being installed. So from that standpoint, the foreign phones should be compatible signal wise, assuming there aren't frequency band issues.

Also, there are, I think, 3 major cell service providers: Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, all now 4G and adding 5G sort of quickly.  Others contract with them.  But while they all have very good coverage areas, they don't cover the full US and there are some differing service areas and gaps.

And as i believe elsewhere, if you aren't on your subscribed provider, you could incur roaming charges.  This might be helpful?

https://www.traveltomtom.net/destinations/north-america/usa/best-prepaid-usa-sim-cards

Also,as a traveler, one should be aware that there are areas where because of system coverage and/or topography, cell service and/or gps may not be available and some gps directions are inaccurate and potentially dangerous, especially in some remote desert and mountain areas.

Phil324 New Member • Posts: 6
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?

Umm just go with Google pixel 6 and Samsung s22 series !!!

Patrick T. Kelly Veteran Member • Posts: 4,629
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?
1

Joel Batts wrote:

I am not concern with phone/video features and capabilities, just image quality. I hear good things about the image quality of the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra. Any other contender, not counting iPhone?

Image quality for what end results. If you're looking to make 20x30 prints you're out of luck. If you're looking to make 8x12 prints most will provide you good results in good lighting. If you want a 100x zoom to take photos of birds get a camera. In phones the long telephotos border on gimmicks.

And then there's the matter of what you can do as a photographer and what the camera will do with computational photography. Some will take a decent photo in a room so dark you can see nothing with your eyes. But, for me, that's not photography.

You can find camera reviews for cellphones on YouTube that will show you samples of photos. Go for it. What they don't generally talk about is the user interface. For the phones that are big on computational photography the user is not a critical component.

I enjoy photography and I thoroughly enjoy using my Sony Xperia 5III. I don't recommend it to anyone, though.

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Patrick T. Kelly
Oaxaca, Mexico

albero Regular Member • Posts: 498
Re: Which Android phone has the best image quality for photography?
5

Till now the Xiaomi 12s ultra is the only smartphone that let me leave home my full frame camera for everything except severe macro or supertele shots.

My previous phone was Huawei P40 pro, Samsung note 8 & 9, Motorola.

What I like the most is a smartphone that let you experiment with photography.

Main camera

5x zoom

Ultra wide angle camera

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