Apple iPhone XS Max vs. Samsung Galaxy Note9

13 October 2018
At a time when LG is pushing the boundaries and installing all sorts of cameras in the V40 ThinQ (the ultra-wide/normal/tele trifecta we've all been waiting for), Apple and Samsung are taking a conservative approach and perfecting their dual camera game.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • sxs
  • 21 Oct 2018

AnonD-706668, 20 Oct 2018I would rather buy Sony Alpha 6000L...which price is more c... moreSony interchangeable lens cameras are great but I prefer Canon colors best - perfect skin tones regardless of whether the subject is black, white, brown, or anything in between.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • sxs
    • 21 Oct 2018

    Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018It has been mentioned before: download a fully manual camer... moreWhich fully manual camera app you can download from the appstore can provide the iphone with a manual, user defined color temperature, tint, contrast level, saturation level, highlight, and shadow preset so that all photos and videos taken will apply the user's preferred custom settings in each and every photo and video? Additionally, can the iPhone app select between an f/1.5 and f/2.4 aperture? Does it have micro sd storage expansion for recording high quality 4K 60fps videos without storage limitations? How about a huge battery to support all flash and non flash photographic needs of the user? As you can see, it's a no contest between the iphone XS Max and Note 9. The iPhone XS Max truly looks like a toy camera compared to the Note 9's capabilities, and I'm not only referring to manual camera controls only.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • sxs
      • 21 Oct 2018

      Anonymous, 21 Oct 2018Sorry if I question your grasp of photography but your orig... moreThe F/4.0 is a typo.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • sxs
        • 21 Oct 2018

        Sorry if I question your grasp of photography but your original comment below:
        "f/1.4 lenses are nowhere as good as f/2.8 or f/3.5 lenses. Best and most expensive lenses overall are never the fastest. So you bragging about owning fast lenses just shows how little understanding you have about how photography works."
        seems to show to me you don't have enough basic photography knowledge to start even arguing with me. F/1.4 prime lenses are not limited to F/1.4. You can stop them down and have F/2.0, F/2.8, F/4. 0/, F/5.6 etc.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • sxs
          • 21 Oct 2018

          Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018Ha! So shallow judgement of the photography world and littl... moreLet me ask you honestly, do you own and use a dSLR or a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera extensively/regularly? Do you have a set of lenses other than the basic kit lenses that came packaged with the camera? If not, then I can understand why you will never appreciate a manual mode on Apple's iPhone camera app and why you defend it at all costs.

          For now, I must make a correction though. Not all Zeiss and Leica owners I've met were lens snobs. Some were kind enough to admit they were not worth their price for the miniscule performance improvement they offer - that is, diminishing returns.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • m%5
            • 20 Oct 2018

            Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018Of course mobile phones need manual camera controls, more s... moreHa! So shallow judgement of the photography world and little understanding of what good quality images are made of. That’s exactly why Leica and Zeiss lenses are so expensive. They can be 10x the price of a mainstream consumer lens, while bringing only 5% more quality in their images. But it’s the 5% that counts and pictures taken with such lenses can be edited to look like those taken with mainstream lenses, while you can never take a photo from a mainstream lens and make it get the Leica or Zeiss look. I will explain this to you, just because it’s a Saturday evening and I have a cold and thus staying inside. It’s called “microcontrast” and you cannot simulate it with any amount of editing you do.

            And since your knowledge of photography seems to be very superficial, I guess it’s ok to share some good new with thy: you can buy used Leica lenses for as little as £500/€600/$700-ish. It’s actually funny I’m talking about Leica and Zeiss when in fact I am and have been paid by the N brand to take pictures around on many of their projects for the past 5 years.
            Indeed there are N lenses which are superb and under the $500 mark, sometimes even under $200, but they don’t excel in all conditions you throw them in. Unlike the L and the Z brand lenses which are consistent in heir performance. This is what Apple’s products provide too: consistent performance and user experience.

            Besides, I bet you know how to download a camera app from the store and get access to manual controls if you really need it. Whatever you want, there’s an app for that.

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              • AnonD-706668
              • PEW
              • 20 Oct 2018

              I would rather buy Sony Alpha 6000L...which price is more cheaper and image quality is top notch than iPhone XS and Galaxy Note 9

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • BiP
                • 20 Oct 2018

                Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018Of course mobile phones need manual camera controls, more s... moreIt has been mentioned before: download a fully manual camera app from the store. Or is that too much of a headache?

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • sxs
                  • 20 Oct 2018

                  AnonD-800802, 20 Oct 2018AHAHAHAHA Did you even read my post? The cameras on iPho... moreWe're obviously not the same level. It's pointless arguing with someone who has absolutely zero knowledge of photography and who only buys phones based on fashionable branding and catchy advertisements. I pity your ignorance. Don't worry though, your time will come. I've been there, just like you, more than 10 years ago, in the dark. At first, I was just a bit interested in photography. Didn't care much about manual settings and learning about photography basics. All I wanted was to capture good quality photos without fuss, on full auto. Then I decided to learn a bit more. As time went by, here I am, lecturing a kid why he may not need manual photography controls for now, why he'll likely be wanting those manual controls in the future, and why he'll likely be regretting later on, why he ever purchased an obscenely priced iphone with zero manual controls, low battery capacity, small maximum aperture and no micro sd storage expansion. The fact that he is in a camera shoot out article means he is at least remotely interested in getting the best photos, and it won't be long before he starts learning how to take better photos with manual camera settings in a smartphone that does have one.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • sxs
                    • 20 Oct 2018

                    Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018Congratulations! You read a guide on what different types o... moreOf course mobile phones need manual camera controls, more so because you need to limit the ISO and shutter speed the stupid auto mode of the smartphone camera chooses. If an $800 pocket camera like the RX100 V have manual controls, what makes you think manual controls are irrelevant and unreasonable in a $1,100 smartphone? You clearly have blind obedience to Apple's crippled approach to everything. Yeah right, Apple's way is the best way. Really, or are you just justifying Apple's 'premium' image?

                    Congratulations! You mentioned Leica and Zeiss lenses. At least you have some photographic knowledge or did some Google search on the most expensive lens brands on the planet. You own them? If you do, then congratulations again, you are definitely rich and most likely a lens snob that looks down on owners of cheaper lens brands as "can't afford" or "non-pros" in photography forums. I've met lots of them in dpreview and it's clear you're one of them, those snobs whose definition of being a "PRO" photographer is closely tied up to their ownership of the most expensive lens brands on the planet. Whether or not you agree with me, Zeiss and Leica lenses are like the "Apple" of lenses - prestige branding and excessive/exorbitant pricing at it's finest. Miniscule/hardly noticeable lens quality improvement/difference for double, triple and even quadruple the price of equivalent lenses from Sigma, Tokina and Tamron and even from Canon and Nikon's own brand lenses. Too insignificant a lens quality improvement that you'll get noticeably better image quality from a cheaper equivalent lens but doing a more elaborate RAW processing workflow. Of course it helps that you have excellent photographic skills because owning the best cameras and most expensive lenses is worthless if you lack skills and experience. Just like the iPhone really although no amount of photographic skills and experience will make iphone photos look better than on the Note 9 given the same photographer behind the camera.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • m%5
                      • 20 Oct 2018

                      Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018Please stop talking. The more your mouth opens, the more pe... moreCongratulations! You read a guide on what different types of lenses are used for and came here to “enlighten” other people.

                      But let’s assume you know the least bit about serious photography - why then have you mentioned you own f/1.4 lenses, as if those are the pinnacle of photographic equipment?
                      I bet you never owned/used a Leica or a Zeiss lens in your life, or even a mere Voigtlander; and you believe Sigma, Tamron, Canon make good lenses. lol

                      The point - as you have missed it - is that smartphones don’t actually need manual controls in the default camera app, for the majority of average users and for the photography/video professionals as well. That is because they (the professionals) understand that there is no point in having so much control over phone cameras, as the image quality they output from their small sensors is not usable for anything else than social media and maybe small prints. And the average user will never use those manual controls either.

                      And if they want manual controls, they can download an app for that. As simple as that.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • sxr
                        • 20 Oct 2018

                        Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018f/1.4 lenses are nowhere as good as f/2.8 or f/3.5 lenses. ... moreOf course I know that. Why would anyone buy a 65" 4K UHD tv when they sit 12 feet away? You might as well buy a cheap, old 65" HD ready (720p) rear projection tv for that.

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                          • AnonD-800802
                          • vCK
                          • 20 Oct 2018

                          Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018You should read my post again before opening your mouth. It... moreAHAHAHAHA Did you even read my post?

                          The cameras on iPhones are the most popular and widely used in the world.

                          Do you really think that average people who uses their smartphone cameras on regular daily basis care about these manual modes? Absolutely, the auto mode is used the most on any smartphone.

                          You can pretend to be a "pro" all you want who prefers to use manual modes on a smart phone, however I guarantee you the market for your kind is minuscule to even be considered by any manufacturers. That's why photo editing apps are thriving in both platforms, why use manual modes when you can do a lot in apps? Video editing on an iPhone btw is a far superior experience to any Android, and that is because of their superior processor.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • sxr
                            • 20 Oct 2018

                            Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018f/1.4 lenses are nowhere as good as f/2.8 or f/3.5 lenses. ... morePlease stop talking. The more your mouth opens, the more people experienced in photography realize just how limited your photography knowledge is. For your education, F/1.4 prime lenses are NOT the sharpest, nor are they the most versatile (they have single focal length only if you don't know), and they are NOT the most expensive either although many are MORE EXPENSIVE than the iPhone XS Max. But they excel well for what they are best used for: Low light photography and bokeh shots. You use other lenses for other applications. That's why you need more than one depending on your use case scenario. Ultrawides for architecture and landscapes, macro lenses for close up photos of small subjects, telephoto lenses for longer reach and superzooms for maximum focal length range and flexibility (at the expense of lens sharpness and quality). I could go on talking more about photography and still other lenses but it's pointless. We're not the same level. Go ahead enjoy your 'best in the world' photo and video quality capturing iPhone.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • sxr
                              • 20 Oct 2018

                              AnonD-800802, 20 Oct 2018Yes take a seat old man. Maybe someday you’ll learn the rea... moreI have no further comment kid. Time will come when you will come of age and be mature enough to understand everything. Soon, you will realize the things that matter most in photography: manual controls, bright lenses and flexible apertures, choice of focal lengths, battery stamina and large/expandable storage. And you don't have to give up auto controls if your limited brain capacity can't ever cope up learning to use even with the simplest and most basic of manual settings. By then, you'll realize how much you've wasted $1,100++ just to get the best photo and video in a smartphone. Maybe you'll learn enough, or possibly never. :)

                                • A
                                • Anonymous
                                • gM}
                                • 20 Oct 2018

                                Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018f/1.4 lenses are nowhere as good as f/2.8 or f/3.5 lenses. ... moreToo long a reply to follow but first line got my eyes.

                                Dude 1.4 Primes are for low light and close up/portraits whereas 2.8-3.5 mostly for landscapes/wildlife outdoors both are best for their respective usage. Google about apertures and it might help.
                                Get ur facts right which im sure is just as delusional through the rest of ur reply given the fact u r justifying apple

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • m%5
                                  • 20 Oct 2018

                                  Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018You should read my post again before opening your mouth. It... moref/1.4 lenses are nowhere as good as f/2.8 or f/3.5 lenses. Best and most expensive lenses overall are never the fastest. So you bragging about owning fast lenses just shows how little understanding you have about how photography works.

                                  If you want to use manual controls on a phone, get an app for that. I own a Lumia 950XL and have owned the Lumia 925 as well, both with awesome manual controls. I would sometimes use them, but 98% of the time I would just use auto. Now I rock an iPhone and I don’t even miss manual controls. I could get an app for that, but I don’t need it. There is no point worrying about phone cameras that much, as the sensors are small and the output quality is suitable for phone screens, maybe tablets, and some small prints. So yeah, keep stressing about things that do not matter at all. Not to the vast majority of people, and not to professionals either.

                                  P.S.
                                  You would not be able to tell the difference between FullHD and 4k/UHD content on a 55” screen unless you stand 1-2 m (3-6 ft) away from it. This is if you have perfect, 20-20 vision.
                                  And when you want to watch high quality videos, they will definitely not have been recorded with the small sensor in a phone.

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-800802
                                    • vCK
                                    • 20 Oct 2018

                                    Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018We're obviously not the same level. It's pointless arguing ... moreYes take a seat old man. Maybe someday you’ll learn the reason why makers are constantly developing their hardware and software to take great photos in auto mode? Maybe just maybe pretenders like you are not on the mindset of these makers? Maybe they’re putting these manual modes as bragging rights knowing full well that majority of their buyers won’t ever use it?

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • sxr
                                      • 20 Oct 2018

                                      AnonD-800802, 20 Oct 2018AHAHAHAHA Did you even read my post? The cameras on iPho... moreWe're obviously not the same level. It's pointless arguing with someone who has absolutely zero knowledge of photography and who only buys phones based on fashionable branding and catchy advertisements. I pity your ignorance. Don't worry though, your time will come. I've been there, just like you, more than 10 years ago, in the dark. At first, I was just a bit interested in photography. Didn't care much about manual settings and learning about photography basics. All I wanted was to capture good quality photos without fuss, on full auto. Then I decided to learn a bit more. As time went by, here I am, lecturing a kid why he may not need manual photography controls for now, why he'll likely be wanting those manual controls in the future, and why he'll likely be regretting later on, why he ever purchased an obscenely priced iphone with zero manual controls, low battery capacity, small maximum aperture and no micro sd storage expansion. The fact that he is in a camera shoot out article means he is at least remotely interested in getting the best photos, and it won't be long before he starts learning how to take better photos with manual camera settings in a smartphone that does have one.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-800802
                                        • vCK
                                        • 20 Oct 2018

                                        Anonymous, 20 Oct 2018You should read my post again before opening your mouth. It... moreAHAHAHAHA Did you even read my post?

                                        The cameras on iPhones are the most popular and widely used in the world.

                                        Do you really think that average people who uses their smartphone cameras on regular daily basis care about these manual modes? Absolutely, the auto mode is used the most on any smartphone.

                                        You can pretend to be a "pro" all you want who prefers to use manual modes on a smart phone, however I guarantee you the market for your kind is minuscule to even be considered by any manufacturers. That's why photo editing apps are thriving in both platforms, why use manual modes when you can do a lot in apps? Video editing on an iPhone btw is a far superior experience to any Android, and that is because of their superior processor.