android vs iphone camera

 

When buying a phone, there is a question many of us often ask: Is iPhone better than Android for photography? It is a delicate question.

We will discuss the differences between iPhone and Android and help you decide which is the best camera phone today.

Price is one of the crucial factors any phone buyer needs to consider. All the great features of the newest phone wouldn't matter if you couldn't afford it. Let's take a look at the price difference between iPhone and Android.

There is no denying that iPhones are generally more expensive than many versions of Android. The cost of Apple's latest version, the iPhone XS, is over $ 1000.

Meanwhile, some Android phones can cost as little as $ 30 (Alcatel Raven and other models).

But Android also has high-end options that are even more expensive than some iPhone models. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy S10 have as many, if not more, features like the iPhone XS or XR.

If you're on a tight budget, you'll have a better chance of owning an Android phone. Or you could buy a used iPhone. This would still cost more than $ 100 in most cases.

If you're willing to shell out a dollar for a phone, you need to do some research on what you want.

At this price range, it can be difficult to tell the difference between Android and iPhone. Many of them share similar characteristics.

Hardware

In addition to the price, you'll want to look at the physical features that iPhone and Android phones offer.

The hardware varies a lot from phone to phone. The iPhone models also differ in the features they offer. But in general, the iPhone has a uniform look and parts.

Since only Apple makes the iPhone, they can have full control over the design.

On the other hand, Android phones look much more different from each other than iPhones. And the reason is that there are dozens of manufacturers, from Samsung to LG, making these devices.

This means that some Android devices may have plastic lenses while others have glass. Sensors also vary from one manufacturer to another. So despite being Android, the quality of the photos may differ from each other.

But the fact that Android phones are different is also why they are popular.

People can enjoy a greater variety of features instead of getting stuck with the uniform features of the iPhone.

Resolution

As mentioned above, it is the price that determines the features of your device. And it is in this category that you will see tangible differences between Android and iPhone.

IPhones have some of the best mobile cameras. Their latest model, the XR, has a 12-megapixel camera that can even record in 4K.

Meanwhile, the camera features vary a lot when it comes to Android. A budget Android phone like the Alcatel Raven only has a 5 megapixel camera that produces grainy images.

But Android also has some phones with cameras that rival that of the iPhone. Let's take a look at the specs of the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, for example.

In addition to a dual 12-megapixel camera, it also features a 16-megapixel wide-angle camera. And just like the iPhone, it can also record 4K.

When it comes to cameras, you get what you pay for. So invest in a good phone that does the job for you. If you want a hassle-free experience that allows you to take pictures with ease, then go with the iPhone.

If you like customization and features that the iPhone doesn't offer, consider buying an Android.

Double camera

The dual camera was exclusive to expensive flagship phones a few years ago. But nowadays even cheaper options have them. And that improves the game when it comes to the iPhone versus Android debate.

These days, you can get a great Android dual camera phone like Honor 10 Lite for under $ 200. It features a huge 24MP main front camera and 13MP dual rear camera.

This means that you can now take beautiful bokeh photos on your device without breaking the bank.

But of course, the cream of the crop for Android phones are still the expensive flagship options. In general, they offer better resolution and performance in low light conditions. Not to mention, they also have a lot more features than their budget counterparts.

For example, a smartphone like the $ 900 Huawei P30 Pro offers both telephoto and wide-angle cameras that cheaper dual-camera phones lack.

Its aperture can also drop as low as f / 1.4 to allow you to shoot in low light without bumping ISOs.

Meanwhile, the iPhone XR's camera capabilities seem to pale in comparison to phones like the Huawei P30. For example, it only has a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens compared to Huawei's 20-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens.

But the iPhone also has a larger sensor which allows it to perform better in low light than its competitors despite the lower resolution. It also has optical image stabilization that allows it to take sharp photos even at slow shutter speeds.

Many Android phones boast more features than the iPhone. But at the same time, the iPhone often excels at what it offers. For example, it may not have the highest megapixel camera, for example.

Its impressive dynamic range allows it to take great photos in a variety of challenging lighting conditions.

Portrait mode

Dual cameras have a variety of features when it comes to smartphone photography. Of course, you can individually choose telephoto or wide angle to zoom in or take close-up photos.

You can also use the two at the same time to create photos with background blur.

If you want to learn how to make photos look professional, simply activate Portrait mode on iPhone or Live Focus on Samsung devices.

Then the dual camera setup works its magic to create bokeh shots that look like they were shot with an SLR.

For the most part, both iPhone and high-end Android phones do a great job creating professional-looking background blurs.

Unlike true DSLRs that achieve this through the use of lenses, these mobile devices instead use software in combination with the dual lens.

The dual lens works together to create a "depth map" that helps the phone calculate the distance of the subject from the background. Then, use the software to blur the background.

In other words, these phones replicate the bokeh effect. Especially since even the dual camera lenses are not enough to create it naturally.

The caveat to using this technology is that it tends to be a hit when you use it. Even iPhones and Android devices suffer from background blur calculation errors. So much so that sometimes it even seems too fake.

Fortunately, the technology continues to improve and the newer phones that are coming out do a better job of creating realistic bokeh.

Native camera app

For the most part, the native iPhone and Android camera app has so many similarities. The positions of the buttons and selections may be different, but they all work the same way.

Both the iPhone and the Android share the same features. In most cases, the only difference is what certain functions call. For example, Portrait mode on an iPhone is called Live Focus on an Android device.

So, in many ways, iPhone and Android are a draw when it comes to this category. Their native apps are both easy to use.

It's just a matter of getting used to, especially if you're more familiar with one platform than the other. But it doesn't take long to realize that they are very similar.

Third party apps

Apps are just as important as your phone's camera functions. That's why you need to choose a device compatible with the apps you want to use.

For years, Apple has had tight control over the apps it accepts in its app store. This means it has fewer choices than Android.

But at the same time, the apps you see on Apple's app store have better user satisfaction. The reason is that the company has strict guidelines that ensure the quality and safety of the apps it offers.

On the other hand, Android suffers from a lot of apps that fail. Many of the apps tend to suffer from multiple bugs and glitches due to the differences between the software and / or hardware of various Android phones.

Also, Android doesn't offer updates as frequently as Apple. As a result, it becomes even more susceptible to faulty apps. And this is also one of the reasons why some apps end up becoming incompatible with some Android devices.

The good news is that many camera / editing apps like Lightroom and VSCO work with iPhone and Android. This means that both platforms can enjoy the benefits of the best digital photography tools.

Conclusion

There are many variables to consider when buying a smartphone. But for the most part, choosing between iPhone and Android is all a matter of preference. Android devices are just as good, if not better, than the iPhone.

If you love having dozens of features, Android is best for you. But if you want a phone that offers a seamless experience and still takes great photos, the iPhone is a great choice.

Don't get stuck on the brand. Instead, do your research and look at all the specs of the device you want to buy. If it has everything you need to take pictures, this is the best smartphone camera for you.