Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus Review

A good fair review. I have had the xynoss S9+ a few weeks now and was so impressed that is was my only vacation camera. I usually take an APS-C nikon coolpix A which is superb but for holiday snaps, the S9 is good enough and versatile allowing editing in phone and video capture with editing of both photo and video in camera.

Jul 3, 2018permalink

AranDoolin

Search DPReview for Huawei P20pro results:
Conclusion
We've only had a few days with the Huawei P20 Pro but that has been long enough to say it is the most advanced smartphone camera to date. General image quality is very good, with good detail, very low noise levels across all light levels and excellent dynamic range. In terms of those parameters the differences to other flagship smartphones, for example the Google Pixel 2 or Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus aren't massive, however.

Where the P20 Pro really leaves the competition behind is zoom. The dedicated 3x tele-lens provides a real advantage in the zoom department and makes this device the best current smartphone for zooming. The triple camera is also capable of creating a natural looking bokeh simulation, and in video mode the image stabilization is up with the very best, creating an almost steady-cam like effect.

Jul 1, 2018permalink

off topic

Jul 3, 2018permalink

AranDoolin

I think you should compare with the Huawei P20pro. The photo results are far better then Samsung, Google and Apple.

Jul 1, 2018permalink

SomeAnonGuy

The advantage that Apple has is in the app ecosystem. Apps like Coach's Eye, Dartfish Express, and Hudl Technique are borderline unsupported on Android. They're absolutely awful compared to the iOS versions. This is the one area that keeps me chained to iOS. I, as an athlete, simply cannot leave the platform because I need those apps; and what Android offers is utter crap.

90% of every athlete, coach, and parent at every training center I've visited (and definitely the ones I frequent) uses iOS devices. Many of them start off with Android, but switch to iOS within a year. Android is unusable for this stuff. iOS is the only option.

This also goes to Tablets. People use iPads for everything, becasue they have the same advantages over Windows and Android.

I guess you can run full Dartfish on a Surface Pro, but who wants to pay $500+ a year to do what a $6.99 one-off purchase provides on the iPad?

Sep 17, 2018permalink

SomeAnonGuy

So, it doesn't really matter how amazing the Android cameras get. What matters is that if I want to record using all the camera's high framerate modes, telestrate, share, and collaborate with other athletes/coaches; the iPhone is the only good option on the market right now.

It's penetration in these markets speak for themselves.

During the Olympics, Coach's Eye had advertisements about their app on iPad used for training with Olympic Athletes... Not an Android device in sight, except those given to athletes to wave around at the opening/closing ceremonies.

Sep 17, 2018permalink

RedFox88

Is the battery in fire? That's what the pic looks like on the home page! 😂

Jun 28, 2018permalink

Markr041

Is the video captured at a constant frame rate, or not? All prior phone video was variable frame rate. I am talking about frame rate, not bitrate. Variable frame rate makes for very unnatural motion when conformed to standard, constant frame rate video in an editor. So, 60P is not constant 60 fps (or 59.97 fps), it fluctuates.

Jun 27, 2018permalink

pellicle

On the point of RAW : Myself I've found Adobe not the best candidate for making good images from the RAW files produced by phones, however if you keep in the "phone" mindset (and remember its a computer, not just a phone) then you can download (for instance) Snapseed which does a JamHot RAW conversion (eg http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/search?q=snapseed)
I've found the opposite of at least one comment here and that RAW on my phone is nearly as good as using my m43 camera (with a similar angle of view)

Jun 27, 2018permalink

SomeAnonGuy

The RAW from Phones is awful and full of noise. Great, in theory, but the sensors haven't gotten to the point where it is ever worth the trouble in developing those RAW files. The camera tends to do "more than good enough" - and definitely better than the average consumer can manage.

This applies to both iOS and Android devices.

I don't think the RAW matters, except for saying your phone has an extra feature. This is why while the platforms support it, neither Google nor Apple have bothered to expose this functionality in their stock user interfaces.

All those RAW files do, is remind you just how dependent those devices are on software algorithms to spit out a usable photo (image stacking, advanced ISPs, etc.). They are not DSLRs. The sensors are (all) still crap, and the lenses are beyond mediocre.

Sep 17, 2018permalink

TheClueless

I have both the S9+ and X, and reading both articles I was intrigued to see the level of detailed criticism (all of it valid to some degree) of the S9+, but going back to the iPhone, to see a lot of soft-pedalling around equivalent features which the iPhone is frequently (a lot) worse at. The author seems to take as gospel that an Apple buzzword will work as advertised, while the Samsung gets a far greater shakedown.

Let me see, who had a hand in bo...

...oh yeah.

Jun 26, 2018permalink

Carey Rose

I personally use a Moto X4. I have had a Moto G, iPhone 6 and iPhone 4S. (And Blackberry Bold, if we want to go back that far.)

To be frank, we are revamping these reviews and are learning as we go. That may be partly responsible for what you see as the greater shakedown of the Samsung. On the other hand, I brought an iPhone X and Samsung S9+ along with me to do portrait shooting side-by-side for this very review, and the Samsung struggled far more than the Apple in the situations they were both used in. That is a portion of the basis for our assessment.

Jul 3, 2018*permalink

Zbyniu

While photographically S9 Plus may be close to Huawei P20 Pro and is better than many other phones, rest assured that you will wait for Android version updates and even important regular security updates for a very long time. That's even more dissapointing having known how much their phones cost so thay shouldn't be saving money on software development costs.
I have been Samsung phone owner for past few years but that was one, among few major factors, why I did not continue with Samsung, at least for some time. P20 Pro was one of possible options to choose from but since quality of phone photography wasn't a deal breaker for me, I decided to go with OnePlus 6.

Jun 25, 2018*permalink

liquidsquid

I got the S9 (non-plus) last weekend, and am suitably impressed by the single camera it has. I was able to take pictures and video with a phone camera at the fireworks show at Epcot that were surprisingly competitive with my Panasonic GH2. Verizon had a great deal through Best Buy where the phone was almost half price through their service (I pay for it through massive phone bills anyways).

The S9+ was simply too darned large when combined with a case, which you will want, simply because the "glass" enclosure is like a fresh wet watermelon seed in your hand. No grip whatsoever. I really wanted it, but the size is silly. Still happy with the S9.

Jun 25, 2018permalink

TheClueless

> I really wanted it, but the size is silly.

It's barely wider than a typical 5-inch phone, though longer. It's the only large phone that's not 'silly' IMO.

Jun 26, 2018permalink

liquidsquid

IMHO any phone larger than an S9 is "silly" in that the length and or width gets in a range that if you at all need to stuff it in a pocket, it is likely to get a lot of bending force applied to it. My old Motorola Turbo 2 (Loved that phone!) was bent due to this, and it was the same size as the S9, but much more tolerant since the face was unbreakable plastic! Now I have an Otter case to minimize this possibility of a bend.

One of the leading causes of a cracked screen is bending applied to the rear enclosure putting tension on the display surface, so that when the phone is dropped, the tension is released by cracking. The Samsung enclosure is quite different, so this may not be an issue.

At BB I tried each phone, and the S9+ and case was a tight fit in a front pocket, the top pokes out, and I am not a small person. The S9 and case fit easily. Honestly I was disappointed because the telephoto camera would be useful.

Jun 28, 2018permalink

vesa1tahti

No problems with Huawei P20 Pro.

Jun 24, 2018permalink

girlperson1

How's the sound quality on calls? It's a cellPHONE right? Just wondering.

Jun 24, 2018permalink

wetsleet

You're on the wrong site

Jun 24, 2018permalink

wolfie57

It's fine, both on speaker and off.

Jun 27, 2018permalink

kayphoto

My 5yr old said he hates when ever DPreview mentions the word Apple in products review. So true!

Jun 23, 2018permalink

Mariano Pacifico

In 8 months I will have Samsung Galaxy S10 10th anniversary future-proofed cellphone with amazing IQ.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

Let's hope, because Samsung's really playing it safe even with its flagships recently.

Jun 24, 2018permalink

PhotoPoet

I know it's out there, hidden in some R&D team members desk. A phone/camera with 20 times digital zoom, I believe through a deal with third party back door negotiators, digital camera companies are paying for it to be kept under wraps. It's a time-release Advil cold sinus marketing plan. The phones feature release is not 12 hours, its 5 years. Then what will have to complain about?

Jun 22, 2018permalink

Akpinxit

Noise reduction is so high that it can be used as tutorials for water painting .
WB (I guess Auto) prone to be cold-ish . Indoor images (ISO over 400) are noisy mass .
What's there not to like ? - this camera will displace DSLR :)

Jun 22, 2018*permalink

Clayton1985

It's a phone..... DSLRs are being displaced by every other relevant camera out there not just phones so you might as well just accept it now.

Jun 23, 2018permalink

George1958

Representations v reality, a very dramatic cover photo for what is a trick cell phone?

Jun 22, 2018permalink

redtailboas

Have just reviewed S9+ video and it's terrible (though no worse than competitors). Video is generally fine if not moving, but if any type of panning or turning or movement, it turns to garbage very quickly - Massive jello wobble, herky jerky frames, and motion blur. Video is just not there yet with mobile phones. Not even close.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

Was stabilization on? Because it will be jerky if you try to pan with it on.

Jun 23, 2018permalink

redtailboas

What's the point of stabilization if you can't pan or turn. That's craziness. Either way you lose. Handshake or jerky, take your pick.

Jun 23, 2018permalink

It already has OIS so turning DIS off still gives you very stable video.

Jun 25, 2018*permalink

micsmics

Only raw.
jpg is terrible.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

https://android.gadgethacks.com/news/always-updated-list-phones-will-get-android-oreo-0181976/

which jpg, because the jpg in "auto" and "pro" seem to have different amounts of processing applied to them.

Jun 23, 2018permalink

micsmics

Pay attention to the processing of small grass in jpg.
If you are satisfied, shoot both in pro and auto.
In the pro, the color is better tuned, use adjust aperture. ISO.
In the auto yellow.
Of Rav the photo is perfect.
You can shoot in parallel in raw and jpg.

Jun 23, 2018*permalink

Daniel Bliss

Samsung still hasn't produced a single security update, much less an operating system patch, for the unlocked version of the phone, while the locked versions are subject to annoying limitations with bloatware. That, in my view, should be disqualifying, and it's a broader problem for all of Android; it means that Android phones for the most part aren't portable between carriers, and only the Google Pixel series out of the unlocked Android is getting anything like the software support of Apple. Extremely frustrating for someone who really doesn't want to switch away from Android, but more and more I'm thinking of it.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

(unknown member)

Daniel, there are a number of Android brands that gets updates - newborn Nokia is one of the fastest. - It´s strange that Samsung are not among "the good guys".

Motorola is also good, and here is a list of android updates for manufacturers and phones:

Talking of bloatware, my second phone, an iPhone has a lot of Apple apps that I am not allowed to remove. That´s just the way Apple do it, and I live with it - life is to short to be a brand-hater.

(My solution: Use both iOS and Android, use both OSX and W10, use both Nikon and Canon + Panasonic. It is really funny how distant the flame-wars gets from you when you have one foot in both camps -It gives more time to enjoy life.)

Jun 21, 2018permalink

When you say "unlocked" i think you mean unbranded, because my Rogers (Canada) phone is unlocked. I don't have any issues with bloatware; the only provider app on my phone is the one to access my account. More significantly, Rogers will only support wifi calling on "their" phones.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

Michael Ma

Easy to debloat these days without root. Even system app can be uninstalled.

Jun 23, 2018permalink

sammobile has firmwares if you want something different from your carrier and in the EU at least, once you have served your contract term, the carrier has to unlock your phone on request - assuming it was network locked

Jul 3, 2018permalink

Daniel Bliss

The catch is that I'm in the United States and still need at least the option of CDMA compatibility. That a) means Samsung USA's wretched support with infrequent security updates for unlocked versions and HD voice/WiFi calling only on the carrier from which you purchased a locked one; and b) brands like Nokia that are skipping out on CDMA aren't really an option for me as they reduce the choice of carriers to two.

In contrast, with Apple in the US, you're almost completely free; full compatibility on all networks, with the exception of the still-missing T-Mobile Band 71, and unlocked phones with full support for all the special carrier features like HD voice and WiFi calling.

A question, do the sammobile firmwares work on US versions?

Jul 8, 2018permalink

@Daniel Bliss - I prefer andoid & samsung but I think iphone is better in a lot of areas, certainly in terms of updates. My main criteria were water resistance and repairability as I hope to get at least 5 years out of this phone. As far as I am aware, sam mobile do have US firmwares to get rid of carrier bloat. You have to match the model number though or run the risk of bricking the phone.

Most new phones will do LTE / 4G calling but it is down to the network.

My partner switched from iPhone 6 to samsung S9 and regrets it. She relied on the "wallet" feature iphone has - android doesn't have anything that competes.

Jul 8, 2018permalink

kristian2000

I've recently upgraded to a to the S9+ from a Note 5 (nearly 3 years old) I'm really lmpressed with the S9+, it's a beautiful, refined piece of technology . The camera is quite good for a phone camera, I've only used the normal wide angle lens, and the results are more than satisfactory. Mostly, I wanted good enough IQ to post on Instagram, and for this use, the S9+ is certainly good enough. Of course such a small sensor camera will suffer in low light, I can never figure out why people here have to make such a big deal about that, its a limitation; deal with it.
The Shutter button can be a little laggy, and I've only experimented with the live focus a few times, but my feeling is that the shortcomings as mentioned in the review can be dealt with in a software update.
I'm going to just go ahead and say it: The camera on the S9+ Is a real camera. That doesn't mean that i'm going to throw away all my other camera gear, it's just that the S9 makes an awesome always with me camera.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

RecklessCoding

I did the same upgrade and share your views. Also the battery life is amazing, for a high-end smartphone nowadays. It last throughout the day with battery to spare for the day after.

Jun 25, 2018permalink

hotdog321

I recently upgraded from the S5 to the S9 Plus. I haven't used the camera a great deal, but it is clearly superior in every respect. Overall operation is snappier, the OS is more advanced and the display excellent. I like the bigger screen for video and GPS. I overlooked the wireless charging in my purchase decision, but I'm surprised at how much I enjoy the high speed wireless charging for my car and bedside. The S9 Plus has tremendous battery life--I've never come close to running halfway down in a single day.

The S9 Plus also sports removable storage via a microSD card, decent water resistance, a real earphone jack, but NO user-replaceable battery like the old S5. The curved screen is really more of a gimmick than anything and Bixby and dedicated Bixby button is a waste and should be user-programmable for Google. In all honestly, I wish Samsung would just introduce an advanced S5 with a snappier processor, screen and camera--it would sell a ton.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

I don't think flagships that just "work" these days would really sell a lot, you need the wow factor that basically comes from the design.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

hotdog321

I think these devices have about "hit the wall" in regards to wowser tech--maybe 5-10 years from now someone will come up with true 3D or death rays. I think there would be a real demand for a powerful common sense smartphone.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

Chayagrahak

With all the research, Samsung galaxy S9+ failed on 3 areas in camera photography:
1. Pixel 2 xl which was released last year, takes amazing photos in portrait mode. Samsung could have learnt something from them, but the portrait mode in S9+ sucks. Just to check the camera I bought Pixel 2 xl (for cheap) and I can guarantee no other smartphone camera can beat in terms of camera. Also, extra sharpening in S9+ should not have been default (you could change in editing software)

2. Front facing camera. Compared to all other phones, Galaxy S9+ has a decent front facing camera. But if you ever tried Pixel 2 XL front facing camera, you hate the selfies from S9+. Again, Samsung could have learnt from Pixel.

3. HDR+ : Whatever GS9+ offering in HDR is very basic, but Pixel 2 XL HDR+ can make wonders.

That said, sadly I will be selling Pixel 2 xl, because I like GS9+ design and theme ability..folders.. so on. Once used to Galaxy can't be happy with other phone (except camera area).

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Chayagrahak

But apart from camera there some amazing things Galaxy S9+ offers:
1. phone width - compared to many other phones, narrow phone width is really easy to hold and type.
2. Samsung Experience launcher - This is the best launcher in any smartphone.. period. Samsung came a long way from stupid touchwiz and theming is a great addon.
3. Bixby button - Without rooting, you can remap the Bixby button to Google assistant and I set the long press of this button to switch between vibrate and ring (like in iPhone), which is a great add-on. This button wins over Pixel 2 squeeze.
4. camera location - this is a big concern, because many other phones place their camera on the side, which gets hidden behind fingers many times.
5. Wireless charging and fast charging - both are amazing and must have features in 2018. Anyone who criticize this, clearly haven't tried these features.
6. Performance - I have used Pixel 2 xl and OnePlus phones along with Galaxy S8+, S9+ and Note 8. Galaxy wins in gamng always

Jun 21, 2018permalink

"2. Samsung Experience launcher - This is the best launcher in any smartphone.. period" Ehh no? That is your personal taste, its like claiming chocolate is better than vanilla, period. Dont confuse opinion with facts please.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

Chayagrahak

have you tried the Samsung experience on new devices? Vanilla can be an option with Google launcher on Galaxy, but the true Samsung experience with app shortcuts on the side is a huge upgrade in everyday use. Even multitasking windows are the features from SE. Now, it is not just the taste but what you really get for your money - I am only talking about "usable features" and not gimmicks.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

I encourage you to try LR mobile's HDR RAW mode, the processing's slow but otherwise it puts the whole HDR argument to rest, nothing comes close, it provides the same DR (within half a stop) as my NEX7. You think Google's got a good algorithm, try Adobe's.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

mosc

Is this the note? There is no more note now?

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Note 8's at a pretty good price, Note 9's not out yet but there doesn't seem to be a dramatic change except for a bigger battery.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

supeyugin1

Note 8 battery was actually smaller capacity than s8+

Jun 24, 2018permalink

Morvegil

I have the s8+..my wife the s9+. Almost the same.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

MrTaikitso

I have a Note8, and before that, S7, S6, Note4 etc, each took/takes superb photos and shoots tack sharp video - when viewed on their host device screen, nor a regular monitor. However, I recently went back to a 'real' camera and bought a Panasonic LX100, and I have owned a lot of cameras prior to that, inc Panasonic GH2, Pentax K10D, Sony f717 and so on. Bottom line, when I view ALL my photos (from scanned in ones from 1960s to today) on my LG 4K 32" monitor (£800 worth!), the LX100 blows phone images out of the water. The 4K video it shoots is even more tack sharp (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3YNdXNeqzM&t=72s), and the still images are film like. Most importantly, in particular with 8K coming soon (yes, it will be in 2021 where 4K is today), when you zoom in, you don't see the artefacts common with phone cameras that have much smaller sensors and lenses.
Physics cannot be reasoned with. Get a real camera for those important pics and videos.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

(unknown member)

MrTaikitso - Good post.

For most people it probably come down to convenience for everyday life moments, and then something with bigger sensor for action/low light/important life-moment.

When that is said, I have the Panasonic LX10 (Loved my LX3, before it broke some years ago) and this small sensor LX10 takes better pictures than my Nikon D3300 with a bigger sensor, even paired with "good" glass like the Sigma Art 18-35!

I guess that is because the D3300 has a lousy autofocus system, while the LX10 even at f1.4 portraits, can set the focus point on the eyes, and get a sharper "better" picture. vs the Nikon (out of focus D3300 pictures just ain't no fun, regardless of glass)

Still - I take any small sensor smartphone over my original Canon Eos M - that lousy camera almost killed my interest in taking photos.

OT: My collegue has the S9 and he says it takes good photos, even for A4 prints, only bringing his old Canon DSLR out for sports/events.

Cheers, Patrik

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Mr Kaja

It's complicated. Take Nokia 808 from 2012 (6 years old phone!) and I'm sure, you won't see the artefacts. Ok, you are right, bigger sensor. But I guess, lumia 930 from 2014 was maybe little better or comparable in this with new smartphones. I'm still amazed by my lumia 1020 - video with 3 times digital zoom was still quite good stabilizated (and in full hd still have quite good details) comparable to my galaxy S7.
My point is - 4K is still not so common nowadays, not even talking about 8K. Bigger challenges will bring better camera phones. And if 4-6 old years best smartphones can be still so good, I see potential for improvement.

Jun 23, 2018permalink

I tried the S9+ for a while. I have had samsung for the last 3 years and was very pleased with the S6 edge+. Somehow the s9+ didnt manage to capture (pun intended) my imagination - also here in Europe we unfortunately have the s9+ with the lacking Exynos 9810 chipset.

So changed to the Huawei P20 Pro and it surely delivers in the camera department. I hope the DPR staff will review it.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

It shoots "dark"(very low light) and "far"(3x zoom or above). In other circumstances the P20 Pro is very unreliable and often smears subtle details introducing heavy sharpening artifacts in their place compared to the competition.
https://www.anandtech.com/show/12676/the-huawei-p20-p20-pro-review/7
While it pulls back more highlight under low light, it introduces strange jagged artifacts to some highlight edges.
Note the jagged edges of the two green lights in this sample: https://images.anandtech.com/galleries/6434/P20Pro_IMG_20180613_225045.jpg

Jun 21, 2018permalink

You can shoot in 40 MP or 10 MP in promode and without the dreeded "AI". I have compared the pictures to my S6edge+ and the P20 Pro have more dynamic range.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

LoSPt1

To me S9 is being the most inconsistent performer here, as it "smears subtle details introducing heavy sharpening artifacts in their place compared to the competition" in 1st and 3rd samples. Not to mention the fact that the zoom performance is consistently below P20 Pro or even iPhone X in terms of overall details. It's also the only one which blew up the highlight in the last sample of daylight shots. P20 Pro's samples in a day are nothing worth praising but Pixel and iPhone X were far better than S9 in terms of overall consistency(though those phones also have their own problems to deal with).

In low light S9 smears a lot of details compared to P20 Pro or Pixel as you can tell by looking at the textures of the ground and plants lit by street lights. The colors are completely over the top too, and finally the flowers on the forground are turning to orange and it is really hard to separate them from the green stems.
https://images.anandtech.com/galleries/6434/S9P_20180613_224958.jpg

Jun 22, 2018permalink

I didn't even mention the dreaded AI yet, 40MP is basically useless considering the output size versus the tiny improvement in detail and the interpolation artifacts it introduces.
------------
You didn't understand me, I noted the increased DR, but also the artifacts it introduces.

Jun 22, 2018*permalink

P20P *consistently* smears daylight detail, I said unreliable, not inconsistent. It just smears from its interpolation, which cannot be avoided as its baked in to match the CFA, only at night noise becomes the major factor instead of the sensor layout and processing, that's why P20P gets the upper hand at night, not that it magically stops smearing at night.
As for zoom, no chance for its digital zoom to win against proper 2x optical zoom at 2x, just as the optical 2x's digital 3x can't win against its optical 3x.
https://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/18/huawei-p20-pro-vs-samsung-galaxy-s9-plus/zoom/gsmarena_162.jpg
https://cdn.gsmarena.com/imgroot/reviews/18/huawei-p20-pro-vs-samsung-galaxy-s9-plus/zoom/gsmarena_362.jpg

Jun 22, 2018permalink

@LoSPt1 I looked into sample 1 and 3, and although those are bad by S9+ standards, the P20P still doesn't render any more detail than the S9+. Look into the foliage which is the hardest to sharpen due to the randomness of the data, you could see something in the S9+ samples whereas you couldn't see anything (what's left is even colored mush) in the P20P samples.
Unsurprisingly you didn't look close enough for actual detail rendered and was deceived by P20P's sharpening algorithm, this is common.
https://images.anandtech.com/galleries/6429/S9P_20180613_113637.jpg
https://images.anandtech.com/galleries/6429/P20Pro_IMG_20180613_113817.jpg
Note the fuzzy brush-stroke-like texture of the trees below the bridge and what seems like vines or moss on the slope to the lower left of the bridge in the P20P sample, and the extra detail of the S9+ in the corresponding locations...over character limit

Jun 22, 2018permalink

...continued
To the right of the image you could see S9+ pushed shadows at the expense of more chroma noise, but anyhow the trees in the shadow still exhibit much more detail compared to the P20P which again renders them as thick brush strokes.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

I have a suggestion for you. Why dont you go to the nearest store and try the cameras for yourself? I Dont see the smearing that they post in my pics (I only have a full HD 42" LCD) and I really dont look into the detail that much. But yes I sometimes do have the pictures printed out and to me they mostly look good. Now, in all honesty I havent shoot that much with the P20 Pro yet but the pics I did shoot look good to me.
Especially a couple taken in sunset from a moving boat.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

That's hardly necessary, as I've seen sample comparisons from at least a dozen reviews across the time span of months, and they're mostly consistent, especially in daylight.
I on the other hand advise you to make a few controlled side-by-side comparisons like Anandtech did with another latest generation flagship like the S9+ or Pixel2XL (but not the iPhones which still seem to be stuck with 1/3" sensors), then you'd more easily see what's missing.

Jun 24, 2018permalink

adengappasami

Head Phone Jack, Expandable storage..say no more

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Yes my old SIII does have those features ;)

Jun 21, 2018permalink

these are the 2 essential metrics of a phone worth owning

Jun 22, 2018permalink

Honestly i thought so too but after getting the P20 Pro Iam not so sure anymore. So far using the included headphones are goodenough for me.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

for the time being you are all set and im sure the headphone are good

but what happens when you need to listen and charge at the same time
or decide to forgo bluetooth, is it a dongle that allows the huwei headhones to connect to the phone .... wht if you lose it or forget it

there is no dongle store down the block i assure you and native usb headphonnes are rare as hens teeth

Jun 22, 2018*permalink

There is an adapter so I can charge and listen at the same time. I can buy more dongels in case I need one. Currently I am not using a dongle.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

got it thx

i do hope you are never put in tough position i imagine audio jackless phones
will inevitably have occur

Jun 22, 2018*permalink

I do think DPR got a bad sample, GSMArena also has a studio scene and that one doesn't have the ghosting/blurring (like slight motion blur, or astigmatism) issues, and I don't get what I'm seeing in some of the base ISO samples, even at ISO32 the clouds show strange patchiness, I've never seen S9+ results so bad. Also in a low light scene, ISO50 with 1/4s shutter? I didn't see that sort of behavior in other reviews either.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

If it's a "bad sample" that's hardly a good advertisement for Samsung - it merely indicates that their quality control processes are inadequate.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

I know, this is the first instance where I'm fairly positive that lens variation is a significant issue in phone camera imaging.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

JMoochie

I'd rather it was a "bad sample" than a consistently bad model. Heck, I've noticed over the years Nikons and Canons quality control problems of misaligned sensors or lense elements. Yes, the software in these phones need to have tweak releases to consumers more often as issues are identified.

Dec 7, 2018permalink

breschdlingsgsaelz

While I didn't expect anything other than a product that doesn't live up to its spec sheet from Samsung (been fooled by specs before and dumped the Samsung phone 2 months later) I am surprised that it fares so bad. I want to add I am surprised that it still gets a "85% score" on DPR when it seems to be a complete failure.

The pictures look plain horrible, I cannot understand how everybody and their dog (including DPR staff) tout smartphones as a viable replacement for P&S cameras. Either this phones camera is exceptionally bad or the talk about smart phone cameras being "good enough already" is pure rubbish.

Jun 21, 2018*permalink

"the talk about smart phone cameras being "good enough already" is pure rubbish." Well... it is not rubbish, it is subjective, as the phrase itself indicates.

It seems that for a few hundred million people it is true, while some 20-50 millions agree with you (i also agree with you), but that is how many bought a compact in the last 2-3 years. So the numbers might indicate that our view of an "acceptable camera" is pure rubbish - at least for personal and casual use.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

20-50 million didn't all buy compacts because of that reason, most of those probably bought compacts because they couldn't afford P&S matching smartphones, but LR mobile's HDR RAW mode really helps here, the quality of the output is shockingly good.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

I was just making a point, the *ratio* i was talking about doesn't change much if it is 25M vs 700M or 38M vs 587M :)

I don't know the numbers exactly, i remember seeing a report that the compacts sold in the last 3 years were around 15-20M per year, but i might be wrong by some margin. You also could add to the point that a lot of the people buying those compacts (especially the premium segment) also have high capable phones.

Jun 21, 2018*permalink

thenoilif

These look pretty damn good to me
http://mobilephotoawards.com/portraits/

Jun 21, 2018permalink

an "acceptable camera" for the narcissistic selfie brigade maybe, but for anyone else it appears to be totally inadequate...

Jun 21, 2018permalink

ummm... rubbish was the perfect descriptor

Jun 22, 2018permalink

I don't have any problem at all with the concept of using a phone to take photographs. I can think of several cases where it would be extremely useful to be able to take a record shot of something or someone, and instantly email it.

One example would be photographs taken at the scene of an accident for insurance purposes, another would be to very quickly provide the police with a photo of someone acting suspiciously. Selfies (although not my thing) are another "valid" use for the narcissistic among us.

One day in the very distant future, all photographs will probably be taken with a super-smartphone, but right now smartphone cameras are extremely limited and the image quality is atrocious unless you just want a snap to post on f***book (heaven forbid).

Jun 22, 2018*permalink

entoman, your POV is for you not for me. I think my smartphone does a great job and get me the pictures I want, may it be selfies or may it be other kind of pictures. Nowadays I NEVER carrie a camera with me unless its for professional work. I was very pleasedwith my Samsung S6edge+ and even more so with my P20 Pro. The quality is acceptable for me, and guess what, for millions of others, and thats for many more purposes than taking a need picture in a special instance.

Jun 22, 2018permalink

Bobapingu

It is said that an expert photographer can win prises with nothing more than a Box Brownie. So why are we so down on phones? Perhaps because we are s**t photographers?

Jun 24, 2018permalink

thenoilif

More to do with many people being tricked into buying expensive gear and believing that it makes you a better photographer.

Jun 24, 2018permalink

i believe it may be due to the fact that the form factor of a giant slab viewfinder is such a poor, awkward & for many critics like myself, inferior way of framing and generally using a "camera "
to that, I add a dumbed down interface, tiny plastic lenses w 2 aperture settings if you're lucky,& a tiny sensor, plastic optics the NR often smeary & "tele" if it exists is actually 50mm? as decades of nomenclature are discarded as easily as features.
a real point & shoot can have an excellent 28- 115 mm equiv actual working aperture\shutter speeds, real raw, real viewfinder
& working SD to store work. things we have come to expect in a real camera to appeal to real lovers of picture taking.

cell phones throw that out the window presumably for the benefit of social media connectivity, & always with you ease,& ask you to define the future of camera design to google\ apple\ samsung?

defining what a camera now is?

i see real loss in that, no matter the convenience & reject it 100%

Jun 24, 2018*permalink

cosinaphile - the perfect description.

Jun 24, 2018permalink

cosinaphile, enthoman - your point is correct, however, as you said yourself, it is about the phones being "a real camera to appeal to real lovers of picture taking".
Agree, phones are clearly not real cameras yet and, most likely, they will never be.

However the point i was making in the start, is that they do provide enough quality for a lot of things and a terrible lot of people.
And it's not about the "narcissistic brigade" term you like to use, those are a substantial part, but not even the majority. And after all if you are a true narcissist you will shoot auto portraits with an A7R3 and an 85mm lens, not with a wide lens at arms length that will make your nose the size of Eiffel tower.

For a lot of people the "need of photography" is satisfied by the phones. The IQ, DOF, bokeh, chromatic aberrations and so on don't matter, they don't care for it and probably don't even know what they are.

Jun 25, 2018*permalink

[continue]

As i see it, the phone is a more "practical" camera, focused more at remembering things and sharing moments (and i am not talking about FB and such, short example: my wife is with my son in some park, a funny thing happens, she takes a snapshot and sends me the picture in seconds, etc).

And with current phones you can easily print A4 - A5 size images or view full screen on phones and tablets without any noise or smudge being visible. Even relative low-light images. So yeah, they are not "real cameras" for "real lovers of picture taking" but are incredible good cameras for the rest of the world.

Jun 25, 2018permalink

that the bulk of people have abandoned having the convenience of genuine zoom the ability to print large for what cellphones offer , is already come to pass

a handful of small cameras exist from sony canon and panasonic

everyone else has already exited the market for all intents and purposes
and yes there is great personal benefit to sharing emotionally significant photos... and the other things cellphones do better than cameras

still im unhappy at the direction of photography as the use by all humanity
has dropped off a cliiff and and replaced by a pocket computer that is jack of all trades and master of none

Jun 25, 2018permalink

breschdlingsgsaelz

pictures made by smartphones can be printed "large" (for certain values of large not exceeding DIN A3) in sufficiently good quality if you are lucky and
- everything is well lit
- the scenes do not have too much contrast
- white balance is not too far off
- you have a wideangle shot
- the automatic exposure found a suitable shutter speed
- the subject ist not moving too fast

In reality the pictures look bad even viewed in small sizes because portraits have distorted faces, the shutter lag made hitting the right moment impossible, it was too dark to photograph and you have motion blur *and* high iso noise.

And we are not yet talking of the awkward an complicated use of camera apps to change any exposure parameter (if possible at all) or using an even moderate telephoto FOV.

I think we will see the same thing as when digital cameras were new: everyone is/was exited because it is so easy to take and process pictures. But they did/will realize that image quality is bad.

Jun 25, 2018permalink

wow with all the conditions to print large ???

cellphones strike me as incapable of producing a good enlargement
as it stands

but they look amazing on a cellphone screen... the new dig
ital 3.5 x 5 print

i so wish someone could crack the middle ground

maybe its time for apple to revisit cameras and make a real camera that cnnects to a phone as easiy as their watch?????????

Jun 25, 2018*permalink

JMoochie

I'd take the bad review more seriously if they used more than one sample to base it on.

Dec 7, 2018permalink

Bobapingu

They describe the long lens as, "Telephoto: 12MP F2.4, 52mm equiv. focal length". I'm guessing they mean it has a similar angle of view as a 52mm in FF. It's stretching the friendship a bit calling it "telephoto" :) but then I expect to phone photographers, anything longer than their "normal" is telephoto.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Normal actually goes from 42mm up to 58mm in the usual sense. "Normal" should be used as opposed to "wide angle" because the word "telephoto" is not indicative of angle of view (as "wide angle" and "normal" are) but rather a characteristic of the physical parameters of the lens design(lens length<focal length).

Jun 21, 2018permalink

calling 52mm telephoto s nonsense .... the rules are being rewritten cause cellphones are really that bad .... reality and normal discussion of

wide
normal and
long
need not apply

Jun 22, 2018permalink

mxx

The make believe world of the cell phone brigade: Vertical videos are OK, 50 mm = telephoto, artificial bokeh etc.

That said, I love my cheapish Chinese cell phone, I just don't claim it's anything more than it is.

Jun 24, 2018permalink

each new generation of peasants has reality redefined ... why is anyone surprised ?

Jun 25, 2018permalink

Alphaville

Very disapponing, might as well get the awesome Note 8

Jun 21, 2018permalink

rmexpress22

The jpeg rendering looks horrible. But then the tones look great. I feel like I get better quality from the Note 8. I shoot raw with the Note 8, but honestly, I've never even bothered to load it onto my PC to see how much quality I can squeeze out of it. Maybe I just never paid much attention to the camera on my phone because I rarely ever use it but it just seems like I get less mushy jpegs.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

I also shoot RAW on the Note 8 and the recent update of LR's HDR RAW function really brings smartphone photography to a new level, I'm getting half frame grade DR from my Note 8 (though not the noise performance).

Jun 21, 2018permalink

rmwexpress22 - "I've never even bothered to load it onto my PC to see how much quality I can squeeze out of it"

Does *anyone* do that?
Surely most people just view the images on the phone itself, or send them to others who also view them on their own phones, or on f***book etc?

If what I suggest is true, then perhaps we shouldn't judge the photos in the same way that we would judge images taken on a "real" camera, which are more likely to be turned into prints, or cropped and viewed on a large hi-res monitor?

Jun 21, 2018*permalink

pellicle

try Snapseed on the phone directly with RAW

Jun 27, 2018permalink

Antoneeo

The Galaxy S9+ under test obviously had a defective tele camera.. no other reviewer has got such problems with the tele camera and of course everybody would return a defective phone like that instead of reviewing it considering it to be "normal". Anyway also from other comments I start to understand why DPR didn't review previous Galaxy models..

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Force-Sensitive Individual

Actually I saw a really lame review with the S9+ in it in which the reviewer would use photos that are obviously out of focus.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

It's a lame review.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

ColnagoNico

I tried one out a while back and could not find these same issues either. It's really possible their test device had some problem I think.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Kona Mike

Does it warn idiots when they shoot video in portrait mode?

Jun 21, 2018permalink

breschdlingsgsaelz

This would be an awesome feature!

Jun 21, 2018permalink

HosseinG

Do you expect "Idiots" to understand warning?

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Some phones can remedy that ;)

Jun 21, 2018permalink

barret8

While I like your comment, I often find myself viewing videos on a phone, which is easily rotated this way or the other, so it doesn't matter whether the video is horizontal or not - sometimes vertical might be even better. I would say it depends on what you're shooting and on what are you planning to view it.

Jun 21, 2018*permalink

Kona Mike

barret8, most cell phone videos I see are shot vertical, and show way too much sky and ground. The fool ends up panning back and forth, when a horizontal framing would work best. When people tout their phone's video capabilities and then capture all their awesome 4k video vertical. What do they do with the video, view it on their tiny phone? Is their computer screen or big 4k home TV hanging vertical? I guess they like seeing those huge black bars on the side.

Jun 23, 2018permalink

barret8

I completely agree, that's why I said "depending where are you going to view it". Viewing vertical movie on a TV screen is pointless. Sometimes, when you are viewing a video of, say, a person, full height, then vertical might be better as long as you are planning to view it on a handheld device. On a side note: if you are planning to view your movie on a huge 4K tv, then maybe phone is not the best tool to shoot ;)

Jun 25, 2018permalink

https://m.dpreview.com/news/5028949765/samsung-galaxy-note-8-comes-with-12mp-stabilized-dual-camera-and-6-3-display

IGTV focuses on vertical video. Not my cup of tea

Jul 3, 2018permalink

PDD

Jun 21, 2018permalink

sportyaccordy

Anyone who is afraid of cell phones killing the standalone camera should look at these photos at 25, 50, 100% magnification. For all the talk of the strides made in cell phone photography they are still light years away. At phone viewing sizes it's great but I think you'd struggle to get a decent A4 print out of this, and this phone is state of the art.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Funkyd3121

Can't get an A4 print from this phone - I disagree as I have a 12" x 18" from my Samsung Galaxy S6 phone, edited on my desktop & printed on Metallic paper by a Pro color lab I have been using since the mid 1980's. Quality looks Great!!!

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Clayton1985

Well whether you are afraid of cell phones killing the standalone camera or not... they are.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

I did manage to get a lomo sort of shot from my then S6 that I might want to print at A4, but that was pretty rare and the conditions were right.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

winkalman

"Well whether you are afraid of cell phones killing the standalone camera or not... they are."

True, but only with the portion of the population that never wanted to carry a dedicated camera to begin with. The truth is that the early digital years were an anomaly; camera sales were higher than they had ever been in history. What we're seeing now is that camera sales are dying down to their normal level where it's mostly just pros and hobbyists buying ILCs. It's a painful transition to be sure, but the camera market will simply shrink back to it's normal size (minus compact cameras which have been a niche product for awhile now).

Jun 27, 2018permalink

Clayton1985

Sure but there are a lot of people that didn't/don't want to carry dedicated cameras but they didn't have a viable alternative and now they feel their smartphones are good enough. So, smartphones are impacting dedicated compacts all the way to full frame ILCs. I don't think camera sales are going to just go back down to their normal level... I think they will keep going down past baseline as smartphones continue to improve.

Jun 27, 2018permalink

sportyaccordy

ILCs are returning to their normal sales volume... from the film era. 20 million ILCs a year was a fluke enabled by the rapid adoption and advances of the transition from digital to film. 3 to 6 million ILCs a year sounds far more reasonable.

Jun 27, 2018permalink

2eyesee

It's great to have a review of a smartphone camera from a photographer's perspective - please can we have more of these?

So many so called 'reviews' of phone cameras test low light performance by photographing static street scenes at night, which doesn't represent real-world use. I've come away from such reviews believing the S9+ has great low light performance, but it has taken this review to highlight that this is at the cost of a slower shutter speed.

Jun 21, 2018permalink

Rishi Sanyal

YES! You win the internet for today, in my opinion, my friend!

Joking aside, you are spot on as to why it has been so difficult for us to start smartphone reviews, as opposed to just launching an inferior review product without proper validation.

Jun 21, 2018permalink